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This latest loss represents one more humiliating episode in an torrid season for West Ham, amplifying significant doubts about the future of their manager. The Hammers became the first team to fall to Wolves this term, enabling the West Midlands team to double their points tally and boost their aspirations of avoiding a place in the record books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Commanding First-Half Display Seals Historic Win

Fewer than the first four minutes into the match, Wolves were able to show signs of discovering much-needed resolution. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his rejuvenated abilities with a long run before turning provider following sharp link-up play with Mateus Mané. His cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Energy was evident both on the field and in the stands, a sight for most of the term.

Facing a side woefully out of form and missing creative talent Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the hosts' clearest opportunity for a win to date. At first confused by taking the lead, Wolves opted to defend it doggedly, falling deep with eleven men behind the ball early on.

Generous Opponents Compound West Ham's Problems

West Ham were accommodating guests, contributing to their own downfall. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to make a simple clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, before being brought down by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The teenage player, once of Rochdale, was proving the most influential man on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to score the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on belief and inspiration, West Ham were drifting out of the game even with controlling the ball, registering just a single attempt in the opening period.

The visitors' frustrations were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among nervous senior players, spun exquisitely, cut in from the left, and fired a low shot into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden senior goal. At last, the Wolves supporters could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Response

With nothing to lose, coach Nuno introduced a double change at half-time and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. However, star forward Jarrod Bowen was muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the necessary threat.

A persistent feeling of nervousness still clouded Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to clear the ball long or play out from the back. But, they had no need to been concerned against such meek opponents. West Ham's inherent failings became painfully obvious as they produced very little of note in the final third.

Critical Matches On the Horizon

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the sole side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not greater. Focus now turns to a critical midweek fixture at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for top-flight survival. Based on this evidence, the Hammers have every reason to be afraid.