Lopetegui’s West Ham future on hold after after vital win over Wolves as pressure grows on O’Neil

Julen Lopetegui’s future as West Ham United’s manager was given a major boost after a vital 2-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium.

The win keeps the Hammers in 14th place in the Premier League table after 15 games but ends a dismal run of back-to-back heavy defeats.

The writing seemed to be on the wall for the Spaniard after an emergency meeting a few days before the game reportedly gave Lopetegui one final chance to turn things around.

A chance that would be without Michail Antonio, who was involved in a road traffic accident over the weekend.

The West Ham players warmed up in special ‘Antonio 9’ shirts and also walked out in tops with the forward’s name.

Tomas Soucek’s looping header in the 54th minute gave the home side the lead after a goalless first half.

Mohammed Kudus looked to have doubled West Ham’s lead minutes later, but VAR rightfully ruled the goal out for offside.

Moments later, though, the visitors were level, Matt Doherty finishing superbly on the slide on the wet London Stadium surface.

With time running out, both in the game and possibly Lopetegui’s future, Jarrod Bowen stepped up in typical fashion to curl a left-footed strike into the bottom corner to put West Ham ahead again.

The Englishman held aloft an Antonio shirt in celebration with his teammates.

Kudus saw another goal chalked off for offside, but it wouldn’t be necessary as Lopetegui’s side saw out a crucial three points for their season and their manager.

West Ham have only won back-to-back games once under Loptegui.

Coincidentally that second successive win was a 1-0 win against their next opponent as a trip to an in-form Bournemouth awaits them in seven days.

Wolves, meanwhile, stay second from bottom with O’Neil’s future now under even more scrutiny.