🔗 Share this article

This latest defeat represents a further embarrassing chapter in an torrid season for West Ham, raising significant questions about the future of their manager. The Hammers became the first team to fall to Wolves this term, allowing the West Midlands side to double their league points and boost their hopes of avoiding the tag in the record books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Dominant Opening Display Secures Long-Awaited Triumph

Fewer than the first four minutes into the new year, Wolves managed to show signs of discovering some resolve. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his revitalised form with a long run before laying on an assist thanks to neat combination play with Mateus Mané. His pull-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from point-blank range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Vibrancy was evident both on the pitch and in the stands, a sight for most of the season.

Facing a side woefully out of form and deprived of creative player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the hosts' best opportunity for a victory this season. At first confused by taking the lead, Wolves opted to protect it fiercely, dropping deep with eleven men behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Opponents Add to West Ham's Miseries

West Ham proved generous guests, adding to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to execute a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to intervene, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The teenage player, once of Rochdale, was proving the key figure on the field. Hwang stepped up to score the resulting spot-kick, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on confidence and inspiration, West Ham were drifting out of the game even with controlling possession, managing 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 adults, spun exquisitely, cut in from the left, and fired a driven effort into the far corner from 18 yards for his first professional goal. Finally, the Wolves supporters could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With nothing to lose, manager Nuno made a double change at half-time and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. Yet, star forward Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the required threat.

A persistent feeling of anxiety continued to affected Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to hoof the ball long or play out from the back. But, they had no need to worried against such meek resistance. West Ham's own failings were painfully obvious as they created very little of substance in the final third.

Crucial Matches On the Horizon

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the sole side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not more severe. Focus now shifts to a critical midweek fixture at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight survival. On this evidence, West Ham should have cause to be afraid.