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This defeat marks one more humiliating episode in a difficult season for West Ham, raising major questions about the future of their manager. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the first team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, enabling the West Midlands team to increase their points tally and lift their hopes of avoiding a place in the record books as the worst team in Premier League history.

Dominant Opening Display Seals Historic Triumph

Within the first four minutes into the match, Wolves managed to demonstrate of finding some resolve. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his rejuvenated form with a long run before laying on an assist following sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Vibrancy could be felt equally on the field and in the stands, a rarity for much of the season.

Facing a side woefully out of form and deprived of key talent Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the home side's clearest chance for a victory to date. Initially unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves chose to protect it fiercely, dropping back with eleven men behind the ball from an early stage.

Generous Opponents Compound Their Own Problems

West Ham were generous visitors, adding to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, before being brought down by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The 18-year-old midfielder, once of Rochdale, emerged as the key figure on the field. Hwang stepped up to convert the subsequent penalty, extending the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on confidence and ideas, West Ham drifted out of the contest despite controlling the ball, managing just a solitary shot in the opening period.

The visitors' woes deepened shortly before halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among nervous adults, spun exquisitely, drove infield from the left flank, and fired a driven effort into the bottom corner from outside the box for his first senior goal. Finally, the Wolves supporters could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Comeback Attempt

With nothing to lose, manager Nuno introduced a double substitution at half-time and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen was muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the necessary spark.

A lingering sense of anxiety continued to affected Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to clear the ball long or play out from the back. But, they need not have worried against such meek opponents. West Ham's inherent deficiencies became increasingly apparent as they created nothing of note in the attacking areas.

Crucial Matches On the Horizon

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the only side capable of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the damage was not greater. Focus now shifts to a pivotal Tuesday fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight safety. On this showing, the Hammers have every reason to be very worried.