Newcastle target Jorgen Strand Larsen inspired Wolves to a 3-2 comeback win over West Ham in the League Cup on Tuesday, just hours after reports that Wolves rejected a £50 million ($67 million) bid from the Magpies.
Introduced in the 73rd minute, the Norwegian striker scored twice in three minutes, overturning a deficit and sealing Wolves’ place in the next round.
The victory piled further pressure on West Ham manager Graham Potter, whose side remain winless this season after also losing their first two Premier League fixtures.
Rodrigo Gomes had earlier given Wolves the lead before Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta turned the game in West Ham’s favour. Larsen’s late heroics, however, ensured Wolves’ first competitive win of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Premier League returnees Leeds suffered a shock exit at Hillsborough after losing 3-0 on penalties to Sheffield Wednesday following a 1-1 draw. Despite nearly £100 million spent on new signings, Leeds missed all three of their spot-kicks, handing victory to a Wednesday side embroiled in off-field turmoil.
Sunderland endured a similar fate, crashing out to League One Huddersfield on penalties after their 1-1 draw. Brentford progressed with a 2-0 away win at Bournemouth, while Burnley needed a stoppage-time strike from Oliver Sonne to edge past Derby 2-1.
What you should know
Jorgen Strand Larsen’s quick-fire brace fired Wolves to a League Cup win over West Ham, intensifying Newcastle’s pursuit of him.
Leeds and Sunderland suffered shock penalty exits to lower-league opposition, while Brentford and Burnley also advanced.
