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This setback marks one more humiliating chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, increasing major questions about the prospects of their manager. The London club had the misfortune of becoming the first team to fall to Wolves this term, enabling the West Midlands side to increase their league points and boost their hopes of evading a place in the history books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Dominant First-Half Performance Seals Historic Win

Fewer than the first four minutes into the match, Wolves were able to give the impression of finding some resolution. The lively Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his rejuvenated form with a lengthy run before turning provider following sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who slid home from point-blank range to give Wolves a lead at Molineux for the first time since early October. Energy could be felt both on the field and in the terraces, a sight for most of the season.

Facing a side woefully out of form and deprived of creative player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the hosts' best chance for a victory this season. Initially unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves chose to protect it fiercely, falling deep with eleven players behind the ball from an early stage.

Generous Opponents Compound Their Own Miseries

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, allowing Mané to pounce, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the penalty area. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, emerged as the key man on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to score the resulting spot-kick, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Lacking confidence and ideas, West Ham drifted out of the contest even with dominating the ball, managing just a single shot in the first half.

The visitors' frustrations were compounded shortly before halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among trepidatious adults, turned beautifully, cut in from the left flank, and fired a low effort into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his maiden professional goal. Finally, the home fans were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With nothing to lose, manager Nuno made a double change at half-time and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. However, key forward Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the required threat.

A persistent feeling of nervousness still clouded Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to clear the ball long or play out from the back. But, they had no need to worried against such meek opponents. West Ham's inherent failings became painfully obvious as they produced very little of note in the attacking areas.

Crucial Fixtures Lie Ahead

In the end, Wolves looked like the sole side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not more severe. Focus now shifts to a pivotal midweek encounter at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for top-flight safety. Based on this evidence, the Hammers have every reason to be afraid.