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This loss marks one more demoralizing chapter in a troubled season for West Ham, raising major questions about the prospects of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the first team to lose to Wolves this term, enabling the Midlands side to double their points tally and boost their aspirations of evading the tag in the record books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Commanding First-Half Performance Seals Historic Victory

Within four minutes into the match, Wolves were able to give the impression of discovering much-needed confidence. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his rejuvenated form with a lengthy run before turning provider thanks to neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. His pull-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 sight for most of the term.

Facing a side terribly short on confidence and deprived of key talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the home side's best opportunity for a win to date. At first confused by taking the lead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, falling deep with all men behind the ball early on.

Compliant Opponents Add to Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved accommodating guests, adding to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to intervene, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The teenage player, once of Rochdale, was proving the key man on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to score the resulting spot-kick, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on belief and ideas, West Ham drifted out of the contest even with dominating the ball, managing just a solitary shot in the first half.

The away side's frustrations deepened just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among nervous senior players, spun beautifully, cut in from the left flank, and fired a driven shot into the bottom corner from outside the box for his maiden senior goal. At last, the Wolves supporters could enjoy themselves.

Ineffective Second-Half Response

With nothing to lose, coach Nuno introduced a double change at the interval and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 formation. Yet, key attacker Jarrod Bowen was muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the required spark.

A lingering feeling of nervousness continued to clouded Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to hoof the ball long or play out patiently. However, they had no need to been concerned against such meek opponents. West Ham's own failings were increasingly obvious as they produced nothing of note in the attacking areas.

Critical Matches On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves looked like the sole side likely of increasing the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not greater. Focus now turns to a critical midweek encounter at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for top-flight safety. Based on this showing, West Ham should have every reason to be very worried.