🔗 Share this article

This defeat represents one more humiliating chapter in a troubled season for West Ham, raising significant doubts about the future of their manager. The Hammers had the misfortune of becoming the initial team to succumb to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the West Midlands outfit 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.

Commanding Opening Performance Seals Historic Win

Within the first four minutes into the match, Wolves were able to give the impression of discovering some resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his revitalised form with a lengthy run before laying on an assist thanks to 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. Energy was evident equally on the pitch and in the terraces, a rarity for much of the season.

Facing a side woefully short on confidence and deprived of creative player Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the home side's clearest chance for a victory to date. At first unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves opted to protect it doggedly, falling deep with all men behind the ball from an early stage.

Generous Opponents Add to West Ham's Problems

West Ham were accommodating visitors, adding to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to pounce, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, emerged as the key man on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to convert the subsequent penalty, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.

Short on confidence and ideas, West Ham were drifting out of the game despite controlling the ball, registering just a single attempt in the opening period.

The away side's woes deepened shortly before halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among trepidatious adults, spun exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and fired a low effort into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden senior goal. Finally, the home fans could enjoy themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With nothing to lose, manager Nuno made a two change at half-time and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the required threat.

A persistent feeling of nervousness continued to affected Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to hoof the ball to safety or build from the back. However, they need not have worried against such passive resistance. West Ham's inherent deficiencies were painfully obvious as they created nothing of substance in the final third.

Critical Fixtures On the Horizon

Ultimately, Wolves looked like the only side likely of adding to the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not more severe. Attention now turns to a pivotal Tuesday fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the fight for Premier League survival. Based on this evidence, West Ham have cause to be very worried.