🔗 Share this article

This latest defeat constitutes one more humiliating episode in a troubled season for West Ham, raising significant doubts about the prospects of their manager. The London club had the misfortune of becoming the first team to succumb to Wolves in this campaign, enabling the Midlands outfit to double their league points and lift their aspirations of evading a place in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League annals.

Dominant Opening Performance Seals Historic Victory

Within the first four minutes of the new year, Wolves managed to give the impression of discovering much-needed confidence. The lively Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his revitalised abilities with a lengthy run before laying on an assist thanks to sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. His pull-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Energy was evident equally on the field and in the stands, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a team terribly out of form and deprived of creative player Lucas Paquetá through injury, this represented the home side's clearest opportunity for a victory this season. At first confused by taking the lead, Wolves opted to defend it doggedly, dropping deep with eleven players behind the ball early on.

Generous Opponents Compound Their Own Miseries

West Ham were generous guests, adding to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to make a simple clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The 18-year-old midfielder, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the most influential figure on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to score the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Lacking belief and ideas, West Ham drifted out of the contest despite controlling the ball, registering just a solitary shot in the opening period.

The away side's frustrations deepened shortly before halftime. The fearless Mané, a youth among trepidatious adults, turned exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and unleashed a driven shot into the far corner from outside the box for his first senior 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 formation. However, star forward Jarrod Bowen was muted, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the required spark.

A lingering feeling of anxiety still affected Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to hoof the ball long or play out patiently. However, they need not have worried against such meek resistance. West Ham's own failings became increasingly apparent as they created nothing of note in the final third.

Crucial Matches Lie Ahead

In the end, Wolves were the sole side capable of adding to the scoreline, and West Ham will be relieved the embarrassment was not more severe. Attention now shifts to a critical midweek encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight survival. On this showing, the Hammers have cause to be afraid.