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This setback represents one more embarrassing episode in an difficult season for West Ham, increasing serious doubts about the prospects of their manager. The London club had the misfortune of becoming the first team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the Midlands side to double their league points and lift their hopes of evading the tag in the history books as the least successful team in Premier League annals.

Dominant Opening Display Seals Long-Awaited Win

Within the first four minutes into the new year, Wolves managed to demonstrate of discovering much-needed resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his rejuvenated abilities with a long run before turning provider following neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Vibrancy could be felt both on the pitch and in the terraces, a rarity for much of the term.

Facing a side terribly out of form and missing creative talent Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the home side's clearest opportunity for a victory to date. At first unnerved by being ahead, Wolves chose to protect it doggedly, dropping back with eleven men behind the ball early on.

Generous Guests Compound Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved accommodating guests, contributing to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a simple clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to pounce, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The 18-year-old player, once of Rochdale, emerged as the key man on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to score the resulting spot-kick, extending the lead. Ironic chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on belief and ideas, West Ham were drifting away from the game even with dominating possession, managing just a solitary shot in the first half.

The away side's woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among nervous senior players, turned beautifully, drove infield from the left, and fired a driven effort into the far corner from outside the box for his first senior goal. At last, the Wolves supporters were enjoying themselves.

Ineffective Second Period Comeback Attempt

With little to lose, manager Nuno made a double substitution at the interval and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Yet, key attacker Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the required spark.

A lingering feeling of nervousness still clouded Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to clear the ball long or play out patiently. However, they had no need to been concerned against such passive resistance. West Ham's own failings became increasingly apparent as they created nothing of substance in the final third.

Critical Fixtures On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves looked like the only side capable of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not greater. Attention now turns to a critical Tuesday encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for top-flight survival. On this showing, the Hammers should have every reason to be very worried.