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This latest loss represents one more humiliating episode in an difficult season for West Ham, raising serious questions about the future of their manager. The London club became the first team to succumb to Wolves this term, enabling the West Midlands outfit to double their league points and lift their hopes of evading a place in the record books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Commanding Opening Performance Secures Long-Awaited Win

Within four minutes into the new year, Wolves were able to demonstrate of discovering much-needed resolve. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his rejuvenated form with a long run before laying on an assist thanks to sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from close range to give Wolves a lead at Molineux for the first time since October. Vibrancy could be felt both on the pitch and in the terraces, a sight for much of the season.

Facing a side woefully out of form and missing creative talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the home side's clearest opportunity for a victory to date. At first unnerved by being ahead, Wolves opted to protect it doggedly, dropping back with eleven men behind the ball from an early stage.

Generous Opponents Add to West Ham's Miseries

West Ham were generous visitors, contributing to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to intervene, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the penalty area. The teenage player, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the key man on the field. Hwang stepped up to convert the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on belief and ideas, West Ham drifted out of the contest even with controlling possession, managing just a single attempt in the opening period.

The away side's woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youngster among trepidatious senior players, turned beautifully, drove infield from the left, and unleashed a driven effort into the far corner from 18 yards for his first professional goal. At last, the home supporters were enjoying themselves.

Ineffective Second Period Response

With little to lose, manager Nuno made a two change at the interval and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the necessary threat.

A persistent feeling of nervousness continued to clouded Wolves' judgment, uncertain whether to hoof the ball to safety or play out from the back. But, they need not have worried against such meek opponents. West Ham's inherent deficiencies became increasingly apparent as they created very little of substance in the final third.

Crucial Matches On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves were the only side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not greater. Focus now shifts to a critical Tuesday fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for top-flight safety. Based on this evidence, West Ham have cause to be very worried.