Wolverhampton's 3-2 League Cup triumph over West Ham was sealed by a brace from Jorgen Strand Larsen, who scored twice three minutes before the final whistle.
The Norwegian forward, who has been linked with Newcastle's transfer plans, came off the bench to score in the 82nd and 84th minutes, inspiring an emotional response from the Wolves fans.
The hosts' lead at the break was secured by Rodrigo Gomes, who headed home a rebound from a free kick by Hwang Hee-Chan in the 43rd minute. However, in the second half, precise headers from the flanks brought the game back into the game.
Tomas Soucek levelled the scores with a powerful shot into the far corner from a precise Kyle Walker-Peters cross in the 50th minute, while Lucas Paqueta took the lead for the Hammers with a spectacular header from Jarrod Bowen in the 63rd minute.
Wolves coach Vitor Pereira, who had radically revamped his starting lineup, brought in fresh forces 17 minutes before the end, which strengthened the team's attacking potential. The decisive role was played by Strand Larsen, who became the hero of the match.
The decisive episode began with a breakthrough by Hugo Bueno, whose shot was parried by Alphonse Areola, but the Norwegian sent the ball under the crossbar on the follow-up. The jubilation of the stands continued two minutes later, when after a series of rebounds in the penalty area, Strand Larsen finally broke the resistance of the visitors.
The first 25 minutes were a cautious affair, with the first dangerous moment coming from Bowen, whose swerving shot was parried by Sam Johnston. Paqueta also tried to beat the keeper, but his attempt from the right was unsuccessful.
Wolves' goal-scoring opportunity arose after Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was fouled in the penalty area, with Gomes' shot then ricocheting off the post, leaving West Ham's goal untouched.
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The Hammers had a chance to level before the break, with James Ward-Prowse crossing from the right but Paquetá was unable to head it home.
The second half began with a quick goal response from the visitors, with Walker-Peters providing a perfect cross for Soucek to score. Despite Wolves pressing, Bowen found a gap in the defence to convert a cross for Paqueta to score. However, the hosts' determination in the final minutes brought a deserved victory.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
