Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare featured as Wolverhampton Wanderers recorded their first Premier League win of the 2025-26 season, breezing past West Ham United 3–0 at Molineux Stadium on Saturday.
The Nigerian forward making his 15th appearance for Wolves started the match and was substituted in the 88th minute after an impressive showing, having scored once and received a yellow card this season.
Wolves took control early with Jhon Arias opening the scoring inside four minutes. Hwang Hee-chan then converted a penalty before half-time, and Mateus Mané, just 18, struck before the break to complete a dominant first-half performance.
The emphatic victory ended a long wait for a league win after 20 games and gave the struggling side a much-needed boost, taking them to six points on the season.
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Editorial
In a season marked by adversity and statistical ignominy, Wolves’ emphatic 3–0 victory over West Ham a result that finally delivered their first Premier League win after 20 attempts feels like more than just three points it feels like breathing space.
For Tolu Arokodare, this match was another small chapter in a season that has tested both patience and resolve. Though he did not grab the headlines on Saturday, his presence in the Wolves frontline spoke to a broader narrative the faith invested in a player whose stature and physicality are matched by an unstinting work ethic.
The early exchange of blows — Arias’ quick opener, Hwang’s composed penalty, and Mané’s composed finish — epitomised a Wolves side that, for once, seized the initiative early and refused to relent. In doing so, they exorcised part of the season’s demons, transforming what had been a record-setting drought into a moment of collective catharsis.
Yet, while statistics will mark this as a win that relieves pressure, the deeper value lies in its psychological imprint. In a division as unforgiving as the Premier League, confidence is as essential as tactical coherence. For Wolves, this victory was a catalyst a reminder that momentum, once elusive, can take hold.
In football’s relentless calendar, resilience often outweighs flair, and Wolves’ controlled display against West Ham captured that duality. As the season progresses, their measure will be taken not just by points gained but by the character revealed when moments like this are tested again.
Did You Know?
- Longest Winless Start Record Wolves’ first win came after 20 Premier League games — the longest wait for a first league victory in a single season in the competition’s history.
- Historic First-Half Blitz All three goals in the 3–0 win were scored before half-time, showcasing Wolves’ dominant opening performance.
- Youth Impact Mateus Mané, who scored the third goal, did so at just 18 years old, making him one of Wolves’ youngest scorers in Premier League history.
- West Ham Struggles West Ham failed to register a single shot on target in the match, a rare occurrence in Premier League play.
- Arokodare’s Season Before the win, Arokodare had already made 15 appearances for Wolves, scoring once and showing growing influence in the struggling side.
