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This loss constitutes one more humiliating chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, raising serious doubts about the future of their manager. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the initial team to succumb to Wolves this term, enabling the West Midlands outfit to double their league points and lift their aspirations of avoiding the tag in the history books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Commanding Opening Display Seals Long-Awaited Victory

Fewer than four minutes into the new year, Wolves were able to give the impression of finding much-needed resolution. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his rejuvenated abilities with a lengthy run before laying on an assist following neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. His cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who slid home from point-blank range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Vibrancy was evident both on the pitch and in the stands, a rarity for much of the term.

Facing a team woefully out of form and missing key player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the hosts' best opportunity for a win this season. Initially unnerved by being ahead, Wolves opted to protect it fiercely, dropping back with eleven men behind the ball early on.

Compliant Guests Compound Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved accommodating guests, contributing to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a simple clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to pounce, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The 18-year-old midfielder, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the key man on the field. Hwang took responsibility to score the resulting spot-kick, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on confidence and ideas, West Ham drifted away from the game even with controlling possession, managing just a single shot in the opening period.

The away side's woes were compounded shortly before halftime. The fearless Mané, a youth among trepidatious senior players, spun exquisitely, cut in from the left, and unleashed a driven shot into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden professional goal. At last, the home supporters could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With nothing to lose, manager Nuno made a two substitution at half-time and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. Yet, star attacker Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not provide the required spark.

A lingering sense of anxiety continued to affected Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to clear the ball long or play out from the back. However, they need not have been concerned against such meek resistance. West Ham's own failings were increasingly obvious as they created very little of substance in the final third.

Crucial Matches On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves were the sole side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be relieved the damage was not greater. Attention now turns to a critical Tuesday fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for top-flight survival. On this showing, the Hammers should have every reason to be very worried.