Jorgen Strand Larsen came off the bench to score twice as Wolves came from behind to beat West Ham 3-2 in the Carabao Cup as Graham Potter suffers defeat again.
The West Ham boss had appeared on course for a first win of the season after goals from Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta put his side in charge despite Rodrigo Gomes' opener but the game was transformed by Strand Larsen appearance off the bench.
The Norwegian is reportedly a target for Newcastle in the final days of the transfer window and showed just why with a smart finish on his weaker foot before nodding in the winner to the delight of the Molineux crowd who cheered loudly for their striker.
Both teams had come into this having lost their first two Premier League games but it is Vitor Pereira's team who have had the fillip of a cup win and progress to the third round. Potter's problems continue with a healthy contingent of away fans left unimpressed.
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Player of the match: Jorgen Strand Larsen
Strand Larsen was always going to be part of the conversation at Molineux even had he not featured, such is the speculation surrounding a possible move to Newcastle. It is believed that the striker has not agitated to leave, focusing instead on his own game.
If Strand Larsen continues to deliver like this then the rewards will come. His first finish was a tricky one, the second was typical. A powerful forward but a mobile one, he was too strong for a tiring West Ham defence and was the difference between the teams.
Pressure growing on Potter
Wolves included perhaps only three players who would feature in their first-choice starting line-up in the Premier League with Pereira open about the fact that this competition is not his priority. That will make West Ham's defeat sting all the more.
Potter included key players Bowen and Paqueta from the start, such was his desire to secure that first victory of the season after those miserable defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea. It seemed to have paid off when they combined to put the Hammers in front.
But once Wolves brought their own big guns off the bench, West Ham wilted. As a result, a third consecutive defeat to start the season will only add to the frustration among supporters. There appeared to be angry exchanges with the fans at the end.
West Ham travel to Nottingham Forest at the weekend. Defeat at the City Ground would make it a particularly long international break for them to stew on this false start to the campaign. Out of the Carabao Cup in the second round but with bigger concerns too.
