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This setback constitutes another embarrassing chapter in a troubled season for West Ham, increasing serious doubts about the prospects 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 aspirations of evading the tag in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League annals.

Commanding Opening Performance Secures Long-Awaited Win

Within four minutes of the match, Wolves were able to show signs of discovering some resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his rejuvenated abilities with a lengthy run before laying on an assist following sharp link-up play with Mateus Mané. His cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Vibrancy could be felt equally on the pitch and in the terraces, a sight for most of the season.

Facing a side woefully short on confidence and deprived of creative talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the hosts' clearest chance for a victory this season. At first confused by being ahead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, dropping deep with eleven players behind the ball from an early stage.

Generous Opponents Add to West Ham's Problems

West Ham proved accommodating guests, contributing to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the penalty area. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, was proving the key figure on the field. Hwang took responsibility to score the resulting penalty, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" rang around Molineux.

Lacking belief and ideas, West Ham drifted away from the contest despite controlling the ball, registering just a solitary shot in the opening period.

The away side's woes deepened just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youngster among nervous senior players, spun exquisitely, cut in from the left flank, and unleashed a driven effort into the bottom corner from outside the box for his maiden senior goal. At last, the home fans could enjoy themselves.

Ineffective Second-Half Comeback Attempt

With nothing to lose, manager Nuno made a double change at the interval and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. Yet, key forward Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not provide the necessary spark.

A lingering feeling of nervousness still clouded Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to hoof the ball long or build patiently. But, they need not have been concerned against such passive resistance. West Ham's inherent failings became increasingly apparent as they produced nothing of note in the final third.

Critical Matches On the Horizon

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the only side likely of adding to the scoreline, and West Ham will be relieved the damage was not more severe. Attention now shifts to a critical Tuesday encounter at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for top-flight survival. On this evidence, West Ham have every reason to be very worried.