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This latest setback marks a further humiliating chapter in an difficult season for West Ham, amplifying serious questions about the prospects of their manager. The Hammers became the initial team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the Midlands side to increase their points tally and boost their hopes of evading the tag in the record books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Commanding Opening Display Seals Historic Victory

Within the first four minutes of the match, Wolves were able to show signs of discovering some confidence. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his revitalised form with a lengthy run before laying on an assist thanks to neat combination play with Mateus Mané. His cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Energy was evident equally on the field and in the terraces, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a team woefully out of form and deprived of creative player Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the hosts' best chance for a victory to date. At first confused by taking the lead, Wolves opted to protect it fiercely, falling back with eleven players behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Guests Compound West Ham's Miseries

West Ham were accommodating guests, adding to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to execute a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, before being brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the penalty area. The 18-year-old player, formerly of Rochdale, emerged as the key figure on the field. Hwang stepped up to score the subsequent penalty, extending the advantage. Ironic chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

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

The visitors' woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among nervous senior players, turned beautifully, drove infield from the left, and fired a driven effort into the bottom corner from outside the box for his maiden senior goal. At last, the Wolves supporters could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Comeback Attempt

With little to lose, coach Nuno introduced a two substitution at half-time and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen was muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the required spark.

A persistent feeling of nervousness still affected Wolves' judgment, uncertain whether to hoof the ball long or build from the back. But, they need not have worried against such passive resistance. West Ham's own deficiencies were painfully apparent as they produced nothing of note in the attacking areas.

Crucial Fixtures Lie Ahead

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the sole side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not more severe. Attention now shifts to a critical Tuesday fixture at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for Premier League survival. On this evidence, West Ham should have cause to be very worried.