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This setback marks a further humiliating chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, raising major questions about the prospects of their manager. The Hammers became the first team to succumb to Wolves this term, allowing the West Midlands team to increase their points tally and boost their aspirations of avoiding the tag in the record books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Dominant Opening Performance Seals Long-Awaited Victory

Fewer than the first four minutes of the new year, Wolves were able to give the impression of finding much-needed resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his revitalised abilities with a lengthy run before laying on an assist following neat combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Energy was evident equally on the pitch and in the stands, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a side woefully out of form and deprived of key player Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the home side's clearest opportunity for a victory this season. At first confused by being ahead, Wolves chose to protect it fiercely, falling back with all men behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Opponents Compound West Ham's Problems

West Ham were generous guests, contributing to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The 18-year-old player, formerly of Rochdale, emerged as the most influential figure on the field. Hwang stepped up to convert the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on belief and inspiration, West Ham drifted away from the game even with controlling possession, registering just a solitary attempt in the opening period.

The away side's woes were compounded shortly before halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among nervous senior players, turned beautifully, cut in from the left, and unleashed a low effort into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his first senior goal. At last, the home fans were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Response

With little to lose, coach Nuno made a double change at half-time and altered to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. However, key attacker Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the required spark.

A persistent feeling of nervousness continued to clouded Wolves' judgment, uncertain whether to hoof the ball to safety or play out from the back. But, they need not have been concerned against such meek resistance. West Ham's own failings were increasingly obvious as they created nothing of note in the final third.

Critical Fixtures On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves were the sole side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the damage was not greater. Focus now turns to a critical Tuesday encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for Premier League safety. Based on this evidence, West Ham have every reason to be very worried.