Wolves 1-2 West Ham: VAR denies hosts late equaliser as James Ward-Prowse’s direct corner goal earns West Ham win

Wolves were controversially denied a late equaliser in a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, who secured the win thanks to an incredible James Ward-Prowse goal direct from a corner.

Max Kilman nodded home Wolves’ leveller in the 99th minute, only for VAR to rule out the goal. Tawanda Chirewa was deemed to in an offside position and blocking Lukasz Fabianski from making the save, therefore interfering with play.

It led to a melee around referee Tony Harrington and his officials at full-time, with a number of yellow cards shown to Wolves’ player and staff.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Wolves captain Kilman told Sky Sports after the game.

It was a match that had epitomised the phrase ‘a game of two halves’, with Wolves dominating the first period. They deservedly went ahead as Pablo Sarabia scored (33) from the spot after Emerson’s foul on Rayan Ait Nouri.

But the Hammers – who made two half-time substitutes – were much improved after the break. They too equalised with a penalty, Lucas Paqueta (72) scoring it after Kilman’s handball.

And it was a moment of magic – and arguably the help of some wind – that saw Ward-Prowse’s corner (84) swirl into the top corner to ultimately secure the Hammers’ first Premier League win since March 2.

It will be a huge boost for West Ham ahead of their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday.

They are now level on points with Manchester United in fifth, but have played two more games. Wolves remain in 11th place.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Wolves play again on Saturday as they take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League; kick-off 3pm.

West Ham play the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday as they travel to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen; kick-off 8pm.

They are back in Premier League action on April 14, hosting Fulham; kick-off 2pm.