🔗 Share this article

This latest loss represents a further demoralizing episode in a troubled season for West Ham, increasing serious doubts about the future of their manager. The Hammers became the initial team to succumb to Wolves this term, enabling the Midlands side to double their points tally and boost their aspirations of avoiding the tag in the history books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Dominant Opening Performance Seals Long-Awaited Triumph

Within four minutes into the match, Wolves managed to show signs of discovering some resolve. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his revitalised abilities with a long run before turning provider following sharp link-up play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who slid home from point-blank 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 rarity for much of the term.

Facing a side terribly out of form and deprived of creative talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the home side's clearest opportunity for a win this season. At first unnerved by being ahead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, dropping deep with all men behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Guests Compound Their Own Miseries

West Ham were accommodating visitors, contributing to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to pounce, before being brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The teenage player, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the most influential man on the field. Hwang stepped up to convert the subsequent penalty, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Lacking confidence and ideas, West Ham drifted out of the contest despite controlling the ball, registering just a single attempt in the opening period.

The visitors' frustrations were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among trepidatious adults, spun exquisitely, cut in from the left, and fired a driven effort into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden professional goal. At last, the Wolves fans were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With little to lose, manager Nuno made a double change at half-time and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen was muted, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the required spark.

A lingering feeling of nervousness still clouded Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to hoof the ball long or build from the back. However, they had no need to been concerned against such meek opponents. West Ham's inherent deficiencies were increasingly obvious as they produced nothing of note in the final third.

Critical Fixtures On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves were the sole side likely of adding to the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not greater. Attention now shifts to a critical midweek fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight safety. On this showing, the Hammers have every reason to be very worried.