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This defeat constitutes one more demoralizing chapter in a torrid season for West Ham, increasing serious doubts about the future of their manager. The London club became the first team to lose to Wolves this term, enabling the West Midlands outfit to double their points tally and lift their hopes of avoiding a place in the history books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Dominant Opening Performance Seals Long-Awaited Victory

Fewer than four minutes of the new year, Wolves managed to demonstrate of finding much-needed confidence. The lively Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his revitalised abilities with a long run before laying on an assist thanks to sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. His cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from point-blank range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Energy could be felt equally on the field and in the terraces, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a side terribly out of form and deprived of key player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the home side's clearest chance for a victory this season. At first confused by taking the lead, Wolves chose to protect it fiercely, falling back with all men behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Guests Compound West Ham's Problems

West Ham were generous guests, adding to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to execute a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, emerged as the key man on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to convert the resulting 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 were drifting away from the game despite controlling the ball, managing just a single attempt in the first half.

The visitors' woes deepened just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among trepidatious adults, turned exquisitely, drove infield from the left flank, and fired a driven effort into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his first senior goal. At last, the Wolves fans could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Comeback Attempt

With nothing to lose, coach Nuno made a two change at the interval and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. However, key forward Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not provide the required threat.

A persistent sense of anxiety still clouded Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to hoof the ball to safety or build patiently. But, they need not have worried against such passive opponents. West Ham's inherent deficiencies became painfully obvious as they created very little of substance in the attacking areas.

Critical Matches Lie Ahead

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the sole side capable of adding to the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not more severe. Attention now shifts to a critical Tuesday fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for Premier League survival. Based on this showing, West Ham should have every reason to be very worried.