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This latest loss marks one more demoralizing episode in an difficult season for West Ham, raising major doubts about the future of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The London club became the first team to succumb to Wolves this term, allowing the Midlands side to increase their points tally and lift their aspirations of evading a place in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League history.

Dominant Opening Performance Secures Historic Victory

Fewer than the first four minutes of the match, Wolves were able to give the impression of finding much-needed resolution. The lively Hwang Hee-chan offered a taste of his rejuvenated abilities with a long run before laying on an assist thanks to neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. The resulting cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Energy could be felt equally on the field and in the terraces, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a team woefully out of form and deprived of key talent Lucas Paquetá through injury, this was the home side's clearest chance for a victory this season. At first unnerved by being ahead, Wolves chose to defend it fiercely, falling back with all men behind the ball early on.

Generous Guests Add to Their Own Miseries

West Ham proved accommodating visitors, adding to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to execute a routine clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, before being brought down by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The 18-year-old player, once of Rochdale, emerged as the most influential man on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, doubling the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" echoed around Molineux.

Short on confidence and inspiration, West Ham were drifting away from the game even with controlling the ball, managing just a solitary shot in the opening period.

The visitors' frustrations deepened just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youngster among nervous adults, spun beautifully, drove infield from the left, and fired a low shot into the bottom corner from outside the box for his first professional goal. Finally, the Wolves fans were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Comeback Attempt

With little to lose, coach Nuno made a double substitution at the interval and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not provide the necessary spark.

A persistent feeling of anxiety still clouded Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to clear the ball long or play out from the back. However, they had no need to worried against such meek resistance. West Ham's inherent deficiencies were increasingly obvious as they created very little of note in the attacking areas.

Crucial Fixtures On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves looked like the sole side capable of increasing the tally, and West Ham will be relieved the damage was not more severe. Attention now turns to a critical Tuesday encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight safety. On this showing, the Hammers have cause to be afraid.