🔗 Share this article

This latest setback constitutes a further humiliating chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, increasing significant doubts about the prospects of their manager. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the first team to lose to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the Midlands side to double their league points and boost their hopes of evading a place in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League history.

Commanding Opening Display Secures Long-Awaited Victory

Fewer than the first four minutes into the new year, Wolves were able to give the impression of finding much-needed confidence. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan offered a taste of his rejuvenated abilities with a lengthy run before laying on an assist following sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an unmarked 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 field and in the terraces, a rarity for most of the term.

Facing a side woefully short on confidence and deprived of creative player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the home side's best chance for a victory to date. At first unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves opted to defend it doggedly, dropping back with all men behind the ball early on.

Generous Guests Add to Their Own Problems

West Ham proved accommodating guests, contributing to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a simple clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to pounce, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, emerged as the key figure on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to score the resulting penalty, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on confidence and inspiration, West Ham were drifting away from the game even with dominating possession, managing just a single shot in the opening period.

The visitors' woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among nervous adults, turned exquisitely, drove infield from the left flank, and unleashed a low effort into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden professional goal. Finally, the Wolves fans could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With little to lose, manager Nuno made a double substitution at the interval and altered to a offensive 3-4-3 formation. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the required threat.

A persistent sense of anxiety still affected Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to hoof the ball to safety or play out from the back. However, they need not have worried against such meek resistance. West Ham's inherent deficiencies became increasingly apparent as they created nothing of note in the attacking areas.

Critical Matches Lie Ahead

Ultimately, Wolves were the sole side capable of adding to the tally, and West Ham will be relieved the embarrassment was not greater. Focus now shifts to a critical midweek fixture at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for Premier League safety. Based on this evidence, West Ham have cause to be afraid.