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This setback constitutes one more embarrassing episode in a torrid season for West Ham, increasing significant questions about the future of their manager. The London club became the first team to fall to Wolves this term, enabling the West Midlands team to double their league points and boost their aspirations of evading the tag in the record books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Dominant Opening Performance Secures Long-Awaited Win

Fewer than four minutes into the match, Wolves managed to give the impression of finding much-needed resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his revitalised form with a long run before turning provider following sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from close range to give Wolves a lead at Molineux for the first time since October. Energy could be felt equally on the pitch and in the terraces, a sight for much of the term.

Facing a side woefully out of form and deprived of creative player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the home side's best chance for a victory to date. At first unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, falling deep with eleven men behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Opponents Add to Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved generous guests, contributing to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a routine clearance from a cross, letting Mané to intervene, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the box. The teenage midfielder, formerly of Rochdale, emerged as the most influential figure on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to convert the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on confidence and ideas, West Ham drifted out of the contest despite controlling possession, registering just a single attempt in the first half.

The visitors' frustrations deepened just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among nervous senior players, turned exquisitely, cut in from the left flank, and unleashed a driven effort into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his first senior goal. At last, the home fans were enjoying themselves.

Ineffective Second Period Comeback Attempt

With little to lose, manager Nuno introduced a double change at half-time and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. Yet, star forward Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the necessary threat.

A lingering feeling of nervousness continued to affected Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to clear the ball to safety or play out from the back. But, they need not have been concerned against such passive opponents. West Ham's inherent failings became painfully apparent as they created nothing of note in the final third.

Critical Matches On the Horizon

Ultimately, Wolves were the sole side capable of adding to the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the damage was not greater. Attention now shifts to a pivotal midweek encounter at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for Premier League survival. On this showing, the Hammers should have cause to be very worried.