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This setback constitutes another humiliating chapter in a difficult season for West Ham, raising major questions about the future of their manager. The Hammers became the initial team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the West Midlands outfit to double their points tally and lift their aspirations of avoiding the tag in the history books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Dominant First-Half Performance Seals Long-Awaited Victory

Within four minutes of the new year, Wolves were able to give the impression of finding much-needed resolve. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan offered a taste of his rejuvenated form with a long run before turning provider following neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a lead at Molineux for the first time since October. Vibrancy could be felt equally on the field and in the terraces, a sight for most of the season.

Facing a team terribly out of form and deprived of key talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the home side's clearest chance for a win this season. Initially unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves chose to protect it fiercely, falling deep with eleven players behind the ball early on.

Generous Opponents Compound Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved accommodating visitors, adding to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, before being brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the penalty area. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, emerged as the most influential man on the field. Hwang stepped up to score the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Lacking belief and ideas, West Ham were drifting out of the game even with dominating the ball, managing just a solitary attempt in the first half.

The away side's frustrations were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among trepidatious adults, spun beautifully, drove infield from the left, and unleashed a driven shot into the far corner from outside the box for his first senior goal. At last, the Wolves supporters were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With little to lose, manager Nuno made a two substitution at the interval and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. However, key forward Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not provide the required threat.

A lingering sense of nervousness still clouded Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to hoof the ball long or build from the back. However, they need not have worried against such passive opponents. West Ham's own failings were increasingly obvious as they produced very little of substance in the attacking areas.

Crucial Fixtures On the Horizon

Ultimately, Wolves were the sole side likely of increasing the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not more severe. Attention now shifts to a pivotal midweek encounter at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for top-flight survival. On this showing, the Hammers have cause to be very worried.