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This latest setback represents a further humiliating chapter in a troubled season for West Ham, increasing serious doubts about the future of their manager. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the first team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the Midlands outfit to double their league points and boost their aspirations of evading a place in the history books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Dominant Opening Display Secures Long-Awaited Triumph

Within four minutes of the new year, Wolves were able to demonstrate of discovering much-needed resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his revitalised abilities with a lengthy run before laying on an assist following neat combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from point-blank range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Vibrancy could be felt both on the field and in the terraces, a sight for most of the season.

Facing a team woefully out of form and missing key player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the hosts' clearest chance for a victory to date. Initially unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves chose to protect it doggedly, dropping back with eleven players behind the ball early on.

Generous Guests Add to Their Own Problems

West Ham were accommodating visitors, contributing to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The 18-year-old midfielder, once of Rochdale, was proving the key figure on the field. Hwang stepped up to convert the subsequent penalty, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Lacking belief and inspiration, West Ham drifted away from the game despite controlling possession, registering just a solitary shot in the first half.

The away side's woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youngster among nervous senior players, spun beautifully, cut in from the left, and unleashed a low effort into the bottom corner from outside the box for his maiden professional goal. At last, the Wolves supporters were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Comeback Attempt

With nothing to lose, coach Nuno introduced a double change at the interval and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Yet, key attacker Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not provide the required threat.

A lingering feeling of anxiety continued to clouded Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to hoof the ball to safety or build from the back. However, they need not have worried against such passive resistance. West Ham's inherent failings became increasingly obvious as they produced very little of substance in the attacking areas.

Critical Matches On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves were the sole side likely of adding to the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not greater. Focus now shifts to a critical midweek fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for Premier League safety. Based on this showing, the Hammers should have cause to be very worried.