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This latest defeat constitutes one more humiliating chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, raising serious questions about the future of their manager. The London club became the initial team to lose to Wolves in this campaign, enabling the Midlands outfit to increase their league points and lift their hopes of evading a place in the record books as the worst team in Premier League annals.

Dominant First-Half Display Seals Historic Triumph

Fewer than four minutes into the match, Wolves managed to show signs of finding some resolve. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his revitalised abilities with a lengthy run before turning provider thanks to sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting 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 much of the term.

Facing a team terribly out of form and deprived of key talent Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the home side's clearest opportunity for a victory this season. Initially confused by taking the lead, Wolves chose to defend it fiercely, dropping back with eleven players behind the ball from an early stage.

Generous Guests Add to Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved generous guests, adding to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to make a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to intervene, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The 18-year-old midfielder, once of Rochdale, was proving the key man on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to convert the resulting spot-kick, doubling the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on belief and ideas, West Ham drifted away from the game despite dominating the ball, managing just a solitary attempt in the first half.

The away side's frustrations deepened just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among trepidatious adults, turned exquisitely, drove infield from the left flank, and fired a low shot into the far corner from outside the box for his first senior goal. At last, the home supporters could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Comeback Attempt

With nothing to lose, coach Nuno made a double substitution at half-time and altered to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. Yet, key attacker Jarrod Bowen was muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the necessary threat.

A persistent sense of nervousness continued to clouded Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to clear the ball to safety or build patiently. But, they had no need to been concerned against such passive opponents. West Ham's inherent deficiencies were increasingly obvious as they produced very little of note in the final third.

Crucial Matches Lie Ahead

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the sole side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not greater. Attention now shifts to a critical midweek fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for top-flight survival. Based on this evidence, the Hammers have cause to be afraid.