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This setback constitutes a further embarrassing chapter in an torrid season for West Ham, increasing serious doubts about the future of their manager. The London club became the first team to succumb to Wolves in this campaign, enabling the Midlands side to double their points tally and boost their hopes of evading the tag in the history books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Commanding Opening Performance Seals Long-Awaited Triumph

Within the first four minutes into the match, Wolves managed to show signs of finding much-needed confidence. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his revitalised abilities with a long run before laying on an assist thanks to neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from point-blank range to give Wolves a lead at Molineux for the first time since October. Vibrancy was evident equally on the field and in the terraces, a sight for most of the term.

Facing a side woefully out of form and missing key player Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the home side's best chance for a win this season. Initially unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves chose to protect it fiercely, falling deep with eleven players behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Guests Add to Their Own Miseries

West Ham were accommodating visitors, contributing to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a simple clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The 18-year-old player, formerly of Rochdale, emerged as the key figure on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to score the resulting spot-kick, extending the advantage. Ironic chants of "We will win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on belief and ideas, West Ham drifted away from the contest despite dominating possession, registering just a single attempt in the first half.

The away side's woes deepened just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among trepidatious senior players, turned exquisitely, cut in from the left, and fired a driven shot into the bottom corner from outside the box for his maiden senior goal. Finally, the Wolves fans were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Response

With nothing to lose, manager Nuno introduced a two substitution at half-time and altered to a offensive 3-4-3 formation. Yet, key attacker Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not provide the necessary threat.

A persistent feeling of anxiety still clouded Wolves' judgment, uncertain whether to hoof the ball long or build from the back. However, they need not have been concerned against such meek resistance. West Ham's own failings became painfully obvious as they created very little of substance in the final third.

Critical Fixtures On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves looked like the sole side capable of increasing the tally, and West Ham will be relieved the damage was not more severe. Focus now turns to a pivotal Tuesday encounter at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for top-flight safety. Based on this evidence, the Hammers should have cause to be very worried.