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This latest defeat constitutes one more demoralizing chapter in a troubled season for West Ham, increasing major doubts about the prospects of their manager. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the first team to succumb to Wolves in this campaign, enabling the West Midlands outfit to increase their points tally and boost their hopes of evading a place in the history books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Commanding First-Half Performance Seals Long-Awaited Victory

Within the first four minutes into the match, Wolves were able to demonstrate of discovering some confidence. The lively Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his revitalised form with a long run before laying on an assist thanks to neat combination play with Mateus Mané. His pull-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from point-blank range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Vibrancy could be felt equally on the field and in the stands, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a team terribly short on confidence and deprived of key player Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the hosts' best chance for a victory to date. At first confused by being ahead, Wolves chose to defend it fiercely, falling back with all players behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Opponents Add to Their Own Miseries

West Ham were generous visitors, contributing to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The teenage player, once of Rochdale, was proving the key man on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to convert the resulting penalty, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on belief and inspiration, West Ham were drifting away from the contest despite controlling possession, registering just a solitary attempt in the first half.

The away side's frustrations deepened just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youth among nervous senior players, turned exquisitely, drove infield from the left flank, and unleashed a low shot into the far corner from 18 yards for his maiden senior goal. At last, the Wolves supporters could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With little to lose, manager Nuno introduced a two substitution at the interval and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the necessary threat.

A lingering sense of anxiety still affected Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to hoof the ball to safety or build from the back. However, they need not have worried against such meek opponents. West Ham's inherent deficiencies became painfully apparent as they created very little of note in the final third.

Critical Fixtures Lie Ahead

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the only side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the damage was not more severe. Focus now turns to a critical midweek encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight safety. On this showing, West Ham have every reason to be afraid.