Gary Neville was left red-faced after Jesse Lingard ensured his prediction that Wolves against West Ham would be a “difficult watch” was left in tatters.
Ahead of the game at Molineux the Hammers were looking to continue their quest to finish in a Champions League qualification spot, while Wolves were attempting to get back to winning ways after four games without victory.
But speaking on Sky Sports ahead of kick-off, Neville did not predict a thriller, saying: “I imagine it’s going to be quite cagey and tight. I look at this game tonight and think ‘this could be a difficult watch at times.’”
Host David Jones then interrupted: “That’s a great seller, thanks a lot,” before laughing.
(Image: Laurence Griffiths/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Neville continued: “I don’t normally do that! Wolves are quite compact and quite safe in the way in which they play. However, I would like to think the game could surprise us.”
Indeed, the game did surprise him as a Lingard wonder-goal opened the scoring after six minutes before Pablo Fornals added another just eight minutes later after more superb work from the England star, who put in a scintillating performance.
Jarron Bowden got a third for the Hammers before Leander Dendoncker grabbed one back for the home side in what was a thrilling first half.
Neville’s co-host Jamie Carragher couldn’t resist the opportunity to mock his prediction, and tweeted after West Ham’s second: “0-2 after 14 mins! @GNev2 is having a nightmare tonight!!!” along with a clip of his initial comments.
And at half-time Jones joked: “So that’s four goals, 20 attempts… it’s been dull as anything this first-half, Gary!”, to which Neville responded: “I did say it COULD be a thrilling game!”
And when later asked for his thoughts ahead of the second-half Neville simply said: “At this point, I’m done,” which brought huge laughter from Carragher and Jones.
Neville finished by tweeting: “Under promise/Over deliver” in response to a fan mocking his forecast of a boring game.
Despite Fabio Silva grabbing another for Wolves in the second-half West Ham managed to hold on for a vital three points in the 3-2 victory, a result which moves them up to fourth place in the table.
