Jorgen Strand Larsen made it three goals in two games as Wolverhampton Wanderers beat West Ham United to move further away from the relegation zone.
The Norway striker sat out the international break with a fractured hand, but returned to record a 10th Premier League strike this season.
With Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha still suspended, the 25-year-old Strand Larsen converted just inside the penalty area in the 21st minute following a mazy run from Joao Gomes, albeit with the help of a slight deflection off West Ham’s former Wolves defender Max Kilman.
The hosts came close to doubling their lead five minutes later following another Gomes surge and run from Strand Larsen, but Marshall Munetsi’s snatched effort crashed off the crossbar.
West Ham never really got going in the first half, though Evan Ferguson – making his first start for the club since his January loan move from Brighton – should have converted Jarrod Bowen’s cut-back at the far post 13 minutes in.
Boss Graham Potter made three changes at half-time with Carlos Soler, Niclas Fullkrug and Edson Alvarez all introduced, and the visitors immediately offered more of an attacking threat.
German forward Fullkrug – returning from a hamstring injury that had kept him out since early January – almost made an instant impact, but sliced his finish horribly wide after finding himself behind the Wolves backline.
The Hammers continued to probe and dominate possession, forcing the home side to play on the break, and Strand Larsen fired narrowly wide from a Matt Doherty pull-back after a fast counter-attack.
West Ham thought they deserved a penalty when Doherty appeared to catch Fullkrug in the face with a high boot, but a video assistant referee (VAR) check upheld referee Tony Harrington’s on-field decision.
They went agonisingly close again when Fullkrug hit the bar with a towering header, although the offside flag would have ruled it out.
Midfielder Tomas Soucek should have levelled when played through on goal in the 90th minute, but he dragged his effort wide with only keeper Jose Sa to beat.
Wolves looked to wrap up the win on the break but Munetsi proded wide after Strand Larsen played him in.
A fourth home victory of the season moved Wolves 12 points clear of the relegation zone, although they remain 17th in the table and five points behind West Ham.
The Hammers missed the opportunity to move above Everton and Tottenham Hotspur for the night.
More to follow.