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This defeat marks a further demoralizing chapter in a difficult season for West Ham, amplifying major questions about the prospects of their manager. The Hammers became the initial team to succumb to Wolves this term, enabling the West Midlands outfit to double their points tally and boost their hopes of evading a place in the history books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Dominant First-Half Display Seals Long-Awaited Triumph

Within the first four minutes into the match, Wolves managed to show signs of discovering much-needed resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his revitalised form with a lengthy run before laying on an assist following sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Energy could be felt both on the field and in the terraces, a sight for much of the season.

Facing a team terribly out of form and missing creative talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the hosts' clearest chance for a victory this season. Initially confused by being ahead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, dropping back with eleven players behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Opponents Compound Their Own Problems

West Ham were accommodating visitors, adding to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to make a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The 18-year-old midfielder, formerly of Rochdale, emerged as the most influential man on the pitch. 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.

Lacking belief and ideas, West Ham drifted out of the game despite controlling possession, registering just a solitary shot in the opening period.

The visitors' woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among trepidatious senior players, turned beautifully, cut in from the left flank, and fired a driven shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his first professional goal. Finally, the home supporters were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Comeback Attempt

With little to lose, coach Nuno introduced a double substitution at half-time and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. However, key attacker Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the necessary threat.

A persistent sense of nervousness still affected Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to clear the ball to safety or play out patiently. However, they had no need to been concerned against such passive opponents. West Ham's own failings were painfully obvious as they created very little of note 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 thankful the damage was not greater. Focus now turns to a pivotal Tuesday encounter at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for top-flight safety. On this showing, the Hammers have every reason to be very worried.