🔗 Share this article

This setback marks another humiliating episode in an troubled season for West Ham, amplifying significant doubts about the future of their manager. The Hammers became the first team to lose to Wolves this term, enabling the West Midlands side to double their points tally and boost their aspirations of avoiding a place in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League history.

Commanding First-Half Display Secures Long-Awaited Win

Fewer than four minutes of the new year, Wolves managed to show signs of discovering much-needed resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his rejuvenated abilities with a long run before laying on an assist following neat combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-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. Energy could be felt both on the pitch and in the stands, a rarity for most of the term.

Facing a side terribly out of form and deprived of key talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the hosts' best opportunity for a victory to date. At first confused by taking the lead, Wolves chose to defend it fiercely, dropping deep with all players behind the ball from an early stage.

Generous Guests Compound West Ham's Problems

West Ham were accommodating visitors, adding to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a routine clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The 18-year-old player, once of Rochdale, was proving the key figure on the field. Hwang stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick, extending the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on confidence and inspiration, West Ham were drifting away from the contest despite dominating the ball, registering just a single shot in the opening period.

The away side's woes were compounded shortly before halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among nervous senior players, spun beautifully, cut in from the left flank, and fired a low effort into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his first professional goal. Finally, the home supporters were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Comeback Attempt

With nothing to lose, coach Nuno made a double change at half-time and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. Yet, star attacker Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the necessary spark.

A lingering feeling of anxiety continued to affected Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to hoof the ball long or build from the back. But, they had no need to been concerned against such passive resistance. West Ham's own failings were painfully apparent as they produced nothing of note in the final third.

Critical Matches On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves looked like the only side capable of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not greater. Attention now shifts to a pivotal midweek fixture at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for top-flight safety. Based on this showing, West Ham should have every reason to be very worried.