🔗 Share this article

This setback marks another embarrassing chapter in a difficult season for West Ham, amplifying significant doubts about the prospects of their manager. The London club had the misfortune of becoming the initial team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the West Midlands outfit to increase their points tally and boost their hopes of evading a place in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League annals.

Dominant Opening Performance Secures Long-Awaited Victory

Fewer than four minutes into the new year, Wolves were able to show signs of discovering much-needed resolution. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his revitalised form with a lengthy run before turning provider following neat combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Vibrancy could be felt both on the pitch and in the stands, a sight for most of the term.

Facing a team woefully short on confidence and missing creative talent Lucas Paquetá through injury, this represented the home side's clearest opportunity for a win to date. Initially unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves chose to protect it fiercely, falling back with all players behind the ball from an early stage.

Compliant Opponents Compound Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved generous visitors, adding to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to execute a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the penalty area. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, was proving the key figure on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Lacking belief and ideas, West Ham were drifting away from the game even with controlling possession, registering just a solitary shot in the first half.

The away side's woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youth among nervous adults, turned beautifully, cut in from the left flank, and unleashed a low shot into the far corner from 18 yards for his maiden senior goal. At last, the home fans could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Comeback Attempt

With little to lose, manager Nuno made a two change at the interval and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 formation. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the required threat.

A persistent feeling of anxiety continued to affected Wolves' judgment, uncertain whether to clear the ball to safety or build from the back. However, they need not have worried against such meek opponents. West Ham's own deficiencies were painfully obvious as they produced very little of substance in the final third.

Crucial Matches On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves looked like the only side likely of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be relieved the embarrassment was not more severe. Attention now turns to a pivotal midweek fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight safety. Based on this showing, West Ham have every reason to be afraid.