🔗 Share this article

This latest defeat marks one more embarrassing chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, amplifying serious doubts about the future of their manager. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the initial team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the Midlands side to increase their points tally and boost their aspirations of avoiding a place in the history books as the least successful team in Premier League history.

Commanding Opening Performance Seals Long-Awaited Victory

Within four minutes of the match, Wolves were able to give the impression of discovering some resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan offered a taste of his revitalised abilities with a long run before turning provider following neat combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Vibrancy was evident equally on the field and in the terraces, a rarity for most of the term.

Facing a team woefully short on confidence and deprived of creative player Lucas Paquetá through injury, this represented the hosts' clearest chance for a win to date. At first unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves opted to defend it doggedly, dropping deep with all men behind the ball early on.

Generous Opponents Compound Their Own Problems

West Ham proved accommodating guests, adding to their own downfall. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to intervene, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The teenage player, formerly of Rochdale, emerged as the key man on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to score the resulting spot-kick, extending the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Lacking confidence and ideas, West Ham drifted away from the contest despite dominating possession, registering just a single attempt in the opening period.

The away side's frustrations were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among trepidatious senior players, spun beautifully, cut in from the left, and fired a driven shot into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden senior goal. Finally, the Wolves fans could enjoy themselves.

Ineffective Second-Half Comeback Attempt

With nothing to lose, coach Nuno introduced a double substitution at the interval and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Yet, star forward Jarrod Bowen was muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the necessary threat.

A lingering feeling of anxiety continued to affected Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to hoof the ball to safety or build from the back. But, they need not have been concerned against such meek opponents. West Ham's inherent failings became painfully apparent as they created nothing of substance in the final third.

Critical Matches On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves were the only side likely of adding to the scoreline, and West Ham will be relieved the embarrassment was not greater. Attention now turns to a critical Tuesday fixture at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for Premier League survival. On this showing, West Ham should have cause to be very worried.