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This latest defeat constitutes a further embarrassing chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, raising major doubts about the future of their manager. The London club became the first team to lose to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the West Midlands team to double their points tally and lift their hopes of avoiding the tag in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League annals.

Dominant Opening Display Seals Historic Triumph

Fewer than four minutes into the match, Wolves were able to show signs of discovering much-needed confidence. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his revitalised abilities with a lengthy run before turning provider thanks to neat combination play with Mateus Mané. His cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from close range to give Wolves a lead at Molineux for the first time since October. Energy was evident both on the field and in the stands, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a side terribly out of form and deprived of key player Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the hosts' clearest chance for a win to date. Initially confused by taking the lead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, falling deep with eleven men behind the ball early on.

Generous Guests Add to Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved accommodating visitors, adding 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 brought down by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The 18-year-old midfielder, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the most influential man on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to score the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Lacking belief and inspiration, West Ham drifted away from the game even with dominating the ball, managing just a solitary shot in the first half.

The visitors' woes deepened just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youth among nervous adults, turned beautifully, drove infield from the left flank, and unleashed a driven shot into the far corner from 18 yards for his first professional goal. Finally, the Wolves supporters were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Response

With little to lose, coach Nuno made a double substitution at the interval and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. Yet, star forward Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the required threat.

A lingering sense of anxiety still affected Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to hoof the ball long or play out patiently. However, they need not have been concerned against such passive resistance. West Ham's own deficiencies became increasingly apparent as they created nothing of substance in the attacking areas.

Critical Matches On the Horizon

Ultimately, Wolves were the only side capable of adding to the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not greater. Attention now shifts to a pivotal midweek fixture at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight survival. On this evidence, West Ham should have cause to be very worried.