Cesar Peixoto has refused to allow Wolverhampton Wanderers’ heavy 4-2 defeat to West Ham United to completely overshadow what he believes was a promising performance, with the Wolves boss making a strong post-match defence of his players and pointing to Raúl Jiménez’s early opportunities as evidence that the scoreline did not tell the whole story.
Wolves suffered their first defeat of the Championship campaign at the London Stadium on Tuesday, with West Ham taking advantage of their opportunities to secure their first league victory of the season. Divine Mukasa was the difference-maker for the hosts, scoring twice, while Jarrod Bowen converted from the penalty spot and Konstantinos Mavropanos also found the net.
Wolves responded through Marshall Munetsi and a Mavropanos own goal, but Peixoto’s side could not complete the comeback.
For Jiménez, the night was particularly frustrating. The experienced forward had opportunities to put Wolves ahead during the opening stages, including a volley that struck the top of the crossbar. Wolves had already shown enough attacking threat to suggest they could hurt West Ham, but they ultimately failed to match the hosts’ ruthless finishing.
Peixoto refuses to blame Jiménez
Rather than turning on his attacking players, Peixoto insisted that Wolves had done enough in large portions of the match to deserve a better outcome.
“It’s not the result we wanted,” Peixoto said. “I think it’s an unfair result because we created a lot of chances, but West Ham were more clinical.”
That assessment is important when considering Jiménez’s performance. The Mexican striker was unable to find the net, but Wolves’ manager clearly believed the overall attacking process was producing opportunities.
The Wolves boss argued that his team controlled possession for long periods, created chances and continued playing with courage even after falling 4-1 behind.
His message was therefore not one of panic.
Instead, Peixoto attempted to shift attention away from the final scoreline and towards the performance itself.
The explosive message from Peixoto
Peixoto’s strongest message came when he addressed what the defeat meant for Wolves’ season.
The Portuguese coach told his players to keep their heads up, insisting that one defeat should not suddenly change the identity they have been trying to establish.
“If we continue playing like this, I believe we’ll win more games than we lose,” Peixoto said.
That declaration gives the defeat a completely different context.
Rather than suggesting that Jiménez or another individual player was finished, Peixoto placed his faith in the collective approach.
For Wolves supporters, however, that confidence will need to be backed up on the pitch.
Jiménez becomes a key talking point
Jiménez remains one of the most experienced attacking figures in the Wolves squad, and Peixoto has already made clear how highly he values his experience.
The striker scored in Wolves’ opening Championship fixture against Blackburn and has been identified by Peixoto as an important source of experience and mental stability for the squad.
That makes his involvement against West Ham particularly significant.
Although he failed to score at the London Stadium, his early chance that struck the crossbar showed that Wolves were capable of creating danger. The problem was that West Ham proved far more clinical when their opportunities arrived.
That contrast ultimately decided the contest.
Defensive questions cannot be ignored
While Peixoto defended the overall performance, he also acknowledged that Wolves made mistakes.
West Ham were able to punish moments of disorganisation, particularly around the period in which Mukasa and Bowen put the hosts firmly in control.
Peixoto was also unhappy with the circumstances surrounding Mavropanos’ fourth goal, believing the West Ham defender had blocked José Sá at the corner.
The Wolves boss said referees had previously told teams that blocking the goalkeeper at corners would be treated as a foul. He felt Sá was prevented from reaching the ball, although the referee allowed the goal to stand.
Wolves now need a reaction
The defeat has inevitably created the first real test of Peixoto’s leadership.
Wolves had entered the game with momentum after winning their previous three matches in all competitions, including a 4-1 victory over Stoke City.
West Ham, however, exposed the importance of being clinical in both penalty areas.
For Jiménez, the next match represents an opportunity to respond.
For Peixoto, it represents something even bigger.
He must prove that his confidence after the defeat is justified.
The Wolves manager has already made his position clear: one defeat does not change the identity of the team, and he believes continued commitment to their style will produce more victories than defeats.
Now the players have to deliver.
And with Jiménez likely to remain central to Peixoto’s attacking plans, the Mexican forward could have a major role to play in determining whether the London Stadium defeat becomes nothing more than an early setback—or the moment Wolves discover the weaknesses they must fix before their promotion challenge truly gathers pace.
