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This latest loss marks one more embarrassing chapter in a troubled season for West Ham, raising significant questions about the prospects of their manager. The Hammers became the initial team to succumb to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the Midlands side to double their league points and lift their aspirations of evading a place in the history books as the least successful team in Premier League history.

Dominant Opening Performance Seals Long-Awaited Win

Fewer than four minutes of the match, Wolves were able to demonstrate of discovering much-needed resolve. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his revitalised form with a lengthy run before laying on an assist thanks to neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from point-blank range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Vibrancy could be felt both on the field and in the terraces, a rarity for much of the season.

Facing a side woefully short on confidence and deprived of creative talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the home side's clearest opportunity for a victory this season. At first confused by being ahead, Wolves chose to defend it fiercely, falling deep with eleven men behind the ball early on.

Compliant Opponents Add to West Ham's Problems

West Ham were generous guests, contributing to their own downfall. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to make a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the penalty area. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, was proving the key figure on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, extending the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on confidence and ideas, West Ham were drifting away from the contest even with controlling the ball, managing just a single attempt in the first half.

The away side's woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among nervous adults, turned exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and fired a low effort into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden professional goal. At last, the Wolves fans could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Response

With little to lose, coach Nuno introduced a two substitution at half-time and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. Yet, star forward Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the necessary threat.

A lingering feeling of nervousness continued to clouded Wolves' judgment, uncertain whether to hoof the ball to safety or build from the back. However, they need not have been concerned against such meek resistance. West Ham's inherent deficiencies were increasingly apparent as they created very little of note in the attacking areas.

Critical Fixtures On the Horizon

Ultimately, Wolves were the sole side capable of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the damage was not greater. Attention now shifts to a pivotal midweek encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for Premier League safety. Based on this evidence, the Hammers should have every reason to be very worried.