Wolves opened their pre-season tour of the United States with a 3-1 win over West Ham, seeing two players shine.
Julen Lopetegui came up against Wolves for the first time after leaving the club last summer, taking charge of West Ham during the clubs’ pre-season tour of the United States.
Gary O’Neil came out on top as the Old Gold won 3-1 against the Hammers with a brace from Rodrigo Gomes and a goal from Matheus Cunha sealing the win.
It was a fixture that left Wolves fans licking their lips as new arrivals Gomes, Pedro Lima and Jorgen Strand Larsen all had a hand in the goals.
What Wolves players did to Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes after pre-season win against West Ham
Gomes scored a brace, with one of his goals assisted expertly by Lima who was a standout on the right side.
Strand Larsen combined with Cunha to assist the Brazilian’s opener, with the fixture hinting at what the future may hold at Molineux.
18-year-old Lima and 21-year-old Gomes terrorised Lopetegui’s side during their time on the pitch together, which saw the duo earn high praise at the end of the game.
After the fixture, a supporter pointed out that some of the more senior players in O’Neil’s squad were pushing the young pair towards the fans to earn the applause they deserved.
The video showed Rayan Ait-Nouri in particular prompting the two summer arrivals to soak in the praise from the fans, something that the supporters, Lima and Gomes appreciated.
It was a heartwarming gesture to see the two youngsters celebrated the way they were by their colleagues and by the supporters, with Gomes and Lima shining against West Ham.
Early signs of Lima and Gomes are promising
Signing Lima from second-tier Brazilian side Sport Recife on his 18th birthday may prove to be treasure discovered by Matt Hobbs.
Similar can be said about Gomes, who after impressing in pre-season training, translated his hard work onto the pitch against Premier League opposition.
With Gomes having spent his career in Portugal and Lima in Brazil, it’s extremely exciting to see the duo thrive with a fearless edge against Lopetegui’s West Ham side.
There will be hope that such form can continue against Crystal Palace on Thursday, with plenty of positives to take from the opening victory against the Hammers.