🔗 Share this article

This setback marks another demoralizing chapter in an difficult season for West Ham, increasing significant questions about the prospects of their manager. The Hammers became the first team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the Midlands outfit to increase their league points and boost their hopes of evading the tag in the record books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Dominant Opening Display Seals Long-Awaited Win

Fewer than four minutes of the match, Wolves were able to show signs of discovering much-needed resolve. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his revitalised abilities with a long run before laying on an assist following neat combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-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 October. Vibrancy was evident equally on the pitch and in the terraces, a sight for much of the term.

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

Compliant Guests Add to Their Own Problems

West Ham were generous visitors, contributing to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a simple clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa inside the box. The teenage midfielder, formerly of Rochdale, emerged as the most influential man on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to score the resulting penalty, extending the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on belief and ideas, West Ham drifted away from the contest despite dominating possession, managing just a single shot in the opening period.

The away side's woes deepened shortly before halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among nervous adults, turned exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and fired a low effort into the far corner from 18 yards for his maiden professional goal. At last, the Wolves supporters could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Response

With little to lose, coach Nuno made a double substitution at the interval and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the required threat.

A lingering sense of nervousness still clouded Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to clear the ball long or play out patiently. But, they had no need to worried against such meek resistance. West Ham's own failings became increasingly obvious as they produced very little of note in the attacking areas.

Crucial Fixtures Lie Ahead

In the end, Wolves were the sole side likely of increasing the tally, and West Ham will be relieved the damage was not more severe. Focus now turns to a pivotal midweek encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for top-flight safety. On this evidence, the Hammers should have cause to be very worried.