🔗 Share this article

This setback marks one more humiliating chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, increasing serious questions about the prospects of their manager. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the initial team to succumb to Wolves this term, enabling the Midlands outfit to increase their league points and boost their aspirations of evading a place in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League history.

Dominant Opening Display Seals Long-Awaited Win

Within the first four minutes into the match, Wolves managed to show signs of discovering much-needed confidence. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his rejuvenated abilities with a lengthy run before turning provider thanks to sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from close range to give Wolves a lead at Molineux for the first time since October. Vibrancy could be felt both on the field and in the stands, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a team terribly out of form and deprived of key talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the home side's best opportunity for a victory to date. At first unnerved by being ahead, Wolves opted to defend it doggedly, dropping back with all men behind the ball from an early stage.

Generous Opponents Add to Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved generous 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 fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The teenage midfielder, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the key figure on the field. Hwang stepped up to convert the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on belief and ideas, West Ham were drifting away from the contest even with dominating the ball, registering just a single shot in the opening period.

The visitors' woes deepened just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youngster among nervous adults, spun beautifully, cut in from the left flank, and fired a low shot into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden senior goal. Finally, the home fans could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Comeback Attempt

With little to lose, coach Nuno made a double substitution at half-time and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 formation. Yet, key forward Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the necessary threat.

A persistent feeling of nervousness still affected Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to clear the ball to safety or build patiently. But, they need not have worried against such passive resistance. West Ham's inherent deficiencies were increasingly apparent as they created very little of note in the final third.

Crucial Matches Lie Ahead

In the end, Wolves looked like the only side likely of adding to the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not more severe. Attention now shifts to a pivotal Tuesday encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for Premier League safety. Based on this showing, West Ham should have every reason to be very worried.