A furious Mario Lemina was at the heart of a bad-tempered scuffle after Wolves were beaten by West Ham at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen’s winner saw the Hammers claim all three points in the crunch encounter, which was cruelly dubbed ‘El Sackico’ given the uncertain futures of Julen Lopetegui and Wolves boss Gary O’Neil.
Tomas Soucek opened the scoring from a corner in the second half before Matt Doherty equalised for Wolves shortly afterwards. Bowen struck the decisive blow just three minutes later to ensure West Ham came away with the spoils.
After the final whistle, tempers flared as a melee erupted on the pitch with Lemina seemingly the main instigator. He was seen squaring up to Bowen before turning on his own team-mates and directing his fury at Wolves first-team coach Shaun Derry.
Lemina was seen remonstrating with West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo before shoving Wolves centre-back Toti, who was trying to calm him down. He also appeared to push Derry and was escorted away while his team-mates clapped the travelling fans.
The midfielder was still reeling, though, attempting to chase Bowen down the tunnel before disappearing into the dressing room. The home supporters were loving it, egging Lemina on with some ironic cheers as he continued to throw himself about.
The result was a bad one for Wolves, who find themselves four points from safety having won just two games all season. It will ramp up the pressure on O’Neil, with the 41-year-old treading on very thin ice after overseeing their dismal start to the campaign.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, he insisted that he still had the backing of those above him despite reports suggesting that Wolves are preparing to make a change.
« The people above me are supportive, » said O’Neil. « Of course, the supporters want their football club to be successful and I understand them pointing the finger at me. I understand that it’s my team and that I have to take responsibility for it.
« We’ve sold an awful lot of Premier League players. We’re not shopping in that market, we are trying to find young ones who are for the future. It is a ruthless league and we are being tested but I’m really proud of them.
« I can only ask them to give what they give and they are giving everything. I hope the supporters are still proud of them. They won’t hate it any more than me, I am right there with them, but we won’t give up and we will keep pushing. »
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