Jesse Lingard claimed Wolves forward Pedro Neto asked him “why do you play like that?” as the two were involved in a scuffle following the full-time whistle at Molineux.
The Manchester United loanee continued his electric form for the Hammers, playing a key role in all three of their goals in the 3-2 win which sent them back into the top-four.
Lingard opened the scoring in sensational circumstances, running almost the length of the field, before chipping over Rui Patricio.
The England international then performed a sublime turn on the byline to help tee up Pedro Fornals who made it two shortly after.
It was 3-0 before the break, with Lingard setting up Jarrod Bowen to register his 10th goal contribution in just eight league games for David Moyes’ side.
Wolves came back into the encounter through goals from Leander Dendoncker and Fabio Silva, but West Ham held on for what could be a massive result in their hunt for a Champions League finish.
Lingard was involved in a flash-point shortly after the referee ended the game, after Neto appeared to approach him as he was celebrating the victory.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, he explained what provoked the incident, suggesting it came after a comment relating to Lingard’s game management in the final minutes.
(Image: Laurence Griffiths/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
“He said, ‘why do I play like that?’, but I don’t know what he meant by that,” Lingard explained.
“Of course we won the game, I think he meant when we kept it in the corner, but it’s game management.
“There’s things like that we have to learn and keep picking up one.”
On moving back into the top four and staying there, he added: Asked if they can stay there, Lingard added: “It’s about maintaining and keeping a focus in each game we’ve got.
“We’ve got a tough run of fixtures but the lads are ready and we just prepare for the next game.”
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