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This defeat represents a further humiliating chapter in an torrid season for West Ham, increasing serious questions about the future of their manager. The London club became the initial team to succumb to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the West Midlands outfit to increase their points tally and lift their aspirations of evading a place in the record books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Dominant First-Half Performance Seals Historic Win

Fewer than the first four minutes into the new year, Wolves managed to demonstrate of discovering much-needed confidence. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his revitalised form with a long run before turning provider following sharp link-up play with Mateus Mané. His cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who slid home from point-blank range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Vibrancy could be felt equally on the pitch and in the stands, a sight for much of the season.

Facing a team woefully out of form and missing key player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the hosts' clearest opportunity for a victory this season. Initially unnerved by being ahead, Wolves opted to protect it doggedly, falling back with eleven men behind the ball early on.

Generous Opponents Add to West Ham's Problems

West Ham proved accommodating guests, contributing to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, before being brought down by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, was proving the key figure on the field. Hwang took responsibility to score the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on confidence and ideas, West Ham were drifting out of the game despite dominating the ball, registering just a solitary attempt in the opening period.

The visitors' frustrations were compounded just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youth among nervous adults, spun exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and fired a low shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his first senior goal. At last, the Wolves fans were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With nothing to lose, coach Nuno introduced a double substitution at half-time and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. However, star forward Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the necessary spark.

A persistent sense of nervousness still affected Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to clear the ball to safety or play out from the back. But, they need not have been concerned against such passive resistance. West Ham's inherent deficiencies were increasingly apparent as they created very little of substance in the final third.

Critical Matches Lie Ahead

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the only side capable of increasing the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the damage was not greater. Attention now shifts to a pivotal Tuesday encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for top-flight survival. On this evidence, West Ham have every reason to be afraid.