West Ham United took a huge step in their fight for Premier League safety as they beat fellow strugglers, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 on Friday night. The victory takes the Hammers out of the bottom three at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur, who lost to Sunderland on Sunday.
Not only was the win huge for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, but it highlighted the strides his side have made. Konstantinos Mavropanos, who has slowly become one of West Ham‘s most important players, scored twice, as did frontman, Valentin Castellanos.
Castellanos, who made the move to the London Stadium in January, is finally starting to show his worth. The Argentinian has been a slow burner at the club, netting just three goals before Friday night.
No one can fault Castellanos’s effort but what has been missing is an end product. Against Wolves thought, the 27-year-old delivered. Two goals for the frontman in a matter of minutes, showing just what he can do.
The level he has managed to reach within the win and over the last two weeks is exactly what West Ham need and could be the final key in the cog that keeps the team in the Premier League.
Valentin Castellanos can be the frontman West Ham have missed
Since Michail Antonio left the London Stadium, the Hammers have been craving a strong frontman to lead the team. For Callum Wilson, it simply hasn’t worked out but for Castellanos, it is beginning to fall into place.
The Argentinian always knew that until the team improved, service would be limited. That has been the case for the 27-year-old but what no one has seem, is his head drop. The striker has run and run for the team, something Irons fans have noticed and are certainly giving Castellanos credit for.
Valentin Castellanos’s 2025/26 West Ham United Statistics
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 16 | 5 | 0 |
Now, as Nuno’s team has gained confidence, Castellanos is getting more and more chances and beginning to deliver what he was signed to do, goals.
Two on Friday night and what should have been three in his last two if it hadn’t been for his slightly offside shoulder. The Argentinian is beginning to come to life and take more chances, something that will invaluable to West Ham in their campaign to stay up this season.
Big games don’t stop for the Hammers
After Friday night’s win over Wolves, West Ham have six cup finals to go in order to remain in the Premier League.
The team head across London to face Crystal Palace on Monday night before returning home to host Everton and David Moyes, who are chasing Europe this season.
Following that the Hammers stay in London for their next two games. First up is a trip to Brentford who are also after a European birth this campaign. Then, Nuno’s team host Arsenal, who are in an ever-tense Premier League title fight.
