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This latest defeat marks a further humiliating chapter in a torrid season for West Ham, amplifying major doubts about the prospects of their manager. The London club had the misfortune of becoming the first team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the Midlands team to increase their points tally and boost their aspirations of avoiding a place in the history books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Commanding Opening Performance Secures Historic Triumph

Fewer than the first four minutes into the new year, Wolves were able to demonstrate of finding some confidence. The lively Hwang Hee-chan offered a taste of his revitalised abilities with a long run before turning provider following neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Vibrancy was evident both on the field and in the terraces, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a side terribly short on confidence and deprived of key talent Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the hosts' clearest chance for a victory to date. At first unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves chose to defend it fiercely, dropping deep with eleven players behind the ball early on.

Compliant Guests Compound Their Own Miseries

West Ham were generous guests, adding to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the box. The teenage midfielder, formerly of Rochdale, emerged as the key figure on the field. Hwang took responsibility to score the subsequent penalty, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on confidence and ideas, West Ham were drifting out of the game even with dominating the ball, registering just a single attempt in the first half.

The visitors' frustrations deepened just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youth among nervous adults, spun beautifully, cut in from the left, and fired a driven shot into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden professional goal. Finally, the Wolves fans could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Comeback Attempt

With nothing to lose, manager Nuno introduced a two substitution at half-time and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 formation. Yet, key attacker Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the necessary threat.

A lingering feeling of nervousness still affected Wolves' judgment, uncertain whether to hoof the ball long or build patiently. But, they had no need to worried against such meek opponents. West Ham's own failings were increasingly obvious as they created nothing of substance in the final third.

Critical Matches On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves looked like the only side likely of increasing the tally, and West Ham will be relieved the damage was not more severe. Attention now turns to a pivotal midweek fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for top-flight safety. On this evidence, the Hammers have every reason to be afraid.