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This setback represents one more embarrassing episode in a torrid season for West Ham, increasing serious questions about the future of their manager. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the first team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the 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 annals.

Commanding First-Half Display Seals Long-Awaited Victory

Fewer than the first four minutes of the new year, Wolves managed to show signs of finding some resolution. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his rejuvenated form with a lengthy run before turning provider thanks to neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from point-blank range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Vibrancy could be felt both on the field and in the stands, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a side terribly short on confidence and missing key talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the hosts' best opportunity for a win to date. Initially unnerved by being ahead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, dropping deep with eleven players behind the ball from an early stage.

Generous Guests Compound West Ham's Miseries

West Ham were accommodating visitors, adding to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to execute a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The 18-year-old player, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the most influential man on the field. Hwang took responsibility to score the resulting spot-kick, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on confidence and inspiration, West Ham drifted away from the game even with controlling the ball, managing just a solitary shot in the opening period.

The visitors' woes deepened shortly before halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among nervous adults, spun exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and fired a driven effort into the far corner from outside the box for his first professional goal. Finally, the Wolves fans were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With little to lose, coach Nuno made a two substitution at half-time and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. Yet, star forward Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the required spark.

A persistent feeling of nervousness continued to clouded 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 painfully obvious as they produced very little of substance in the attacking areas.

Critical Fixtures On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves looked like the only side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be relieved the embarrassment was not more severe. Focus now turns to a critical midweek fixture at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight survival. Based on this showing, the Hammers should have every reason to be very worried.