West Ham United have slipped to second in the Championship table, with West Bromwich Albion moving two points clear at the top after Wednesday night’s fixtures. As of 17 September 2026, the Hammers remain unbeaten but now need to watch developments elsewhere as the promotion race takes shape.
Hammers knocked off top spot after mid-week results
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side had gone top of the table on Tuesday, but they were not in action when the picture changed a day later. West Brom did the damage instead, beating Derby County 1-0 at Pride Park to move to 13 points from six matches.
Aune Heggebø settled that game after 16 minutes, converting a delivery from Jimmy-Jay Morgan. Derby’s task got harder soon after when West Brom’s Brayann Pereira was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 34th minute, though the visitors still saw the game through with ten men.
It is an important distinction for West Ham supporters: the club have not lost ground through a result of their own. West Brom simply won a game West Ham were not involved in, and that was enough to leapfrog the Hammers on points.
Bowen brace sees off Bolton in five-goal thriller
West Ham’s own contribution to the week came on Tuesday, when they beat Bolton Wanderers 3-2 in a five-goal London Stadium contest. Jarrod Bowen was the difference, scoring twice to take the club top of the division at the time.
The win kept up an unbeaten start to the Championship campaign and underlined Bowen’s importance to Nuno’s attack early in the season. Full detail on that match, including the goals and the closing stages, is covered in our original report on the Bolton Wanderers win.
That victory now looks even more valuable given how tight the top of the table has become in the days since.
West Ham Championship table standings after Wednesday matches
West Ham sit second in the Championship table after Wednesday’s matches, on 11 points from six games. West Brom lead on 13 points after their win at Derby, with the Hammers holding second spot ahead of Swansea City, QPR and Charlton Athletic on goal difference.
West Ham’s goal difference of plus five keeps them clear of that chasing trio, all of whom are also on 11 points. Charlton and QPR could not be separated on Wednesday, drawing 0-0 at The Valley, according to Sky Sports.
That result means neither side closed the gap on goal difference, leaving West Ham’s superior record from six matches as the deciding factor for now. With the table this congested, small margins are likely to matter for weeks to come.
What happens next for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side
West Ham’s focus now turns to Friday night, when they host Wrexham at London Stadium in an 8pm kick-off. Phil Parkinson’s side arrive in good form, unbeaten in three Championship matches and having taken seven points from that run.
A win would put West Ham back within touching distance of top spot, regardless of what West Brom do over the same weekend. Nuno will be aware that Wrexham’s recent record makes them a tougher visit than their table position might suggest.
Off the pitch, the club continues to work through longer-term plans, including the supporters consultation process on the crest and the behind-the-scenes recruitment rebuild under Nils Koppen. Neither will have any bearing on Friday’s game, but both remain part of the broader picture at the club this season.
For now, attention stays on the pitch. Another positive result against Wrexham would keep West Ham firmly in the promotion conversation heading into the next round of fixtures.
