We all know it's a marathon and not a sprint, but it is a deeply satisfying to start the season with an away win, and even better when the performance is as comprehensive as this.

West Ham were comfortable winners at Molineux with a goal in each half from first, England under-21 captain Mark Noble, and then new club skipper and England centre-half Matthew Upson on 69 minutes. Wolves weren't without attacking options though and Robert Green was in fine form to deny the home side. Quite why England think they have a goalkeeping problem when Green is available is puzzling; if Robert played for a top four club then nobody would doubt his ability.

Wolves made a bright start as you'd expect on their return to the top flight and in front of a noisy crowd, but only Ebanks-Blake's shot over the bar when in a good position really worried the Hammers. West Ham looked dangerous on the break though and were unlucky not to be in front when Craddock cleared off the line with the keeper beaten, it wasn't long before the away side struck though, going in front after 22 minutes when Carlton Cole played a ball across the face of the penalty area for Mark Noble to clip superbly over the keeper.

After that, the Hammers settled down and looked dangerous every time they broke. In one spell Cole beat the offside trap only to have his shot superbly saved and, when the ball broke loose, Keiron Dyer's goalbound shot was cleared off the line resulting in a series of corners from which West Ham might have doubled their lead. Firstly, Woves keeper Hennessey saved from an Ilunga header and then another shot from the defender was blocked after Dyer cheekily tried to backheel in.

Wolves went close immediately after the break when Green twice saved superbly from Milijas but Jack Collison had an even better chance on 53 minutes when he rounded the keeper and shot towards the empty net only to see Foley clear off the line. Green again saved superbly from the feet of Ebanks-Blake but the game was over shortly after when Matthew Upson headed in easily from Mark Noble's corner.

There will be more diffiicult days and less favourable results but there's little doubt that points will need to be collected against teams like Wolves and West Ham can consider this a job well done.