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This setback marks one more humiliating chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, amplifying major questions about the prospects of their manager. The London club became the first team to succumb to Wolves this term, enabling the Midlands side to double their points tally and boost their aspirations of evading the tag in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League history.

Commanding First-Half Display Secures Historic Victory

Fewer than the first four minutes into the match, Wolves were able to demonstrate of discovering some confidence. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his rejuvenated abilities with a long run before laying on an assist thanks to sharp 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 early October. Vibrancy was evident equally on the field and in the stands, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a side terribly out of form and missing key player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the hosts' best opportunity for a victory this season. At first unnerved by being ahead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, falling back with eleven players behind the ball early on.

Compliant Opponents Add to Their Own Problems

West Ham proved accommodating guests, adding to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to execute a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the penalty area. The 18-year-old player, once of Rochdale, was proving the key man on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to convert the resulting penalty, doubling the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.

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

The visitors' frustrations deepened just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youngster among trepidatious senior players, spun beautifully, drove infield from the left, and unleashed a low shot into the bottom corner from outside the box for his first professional goal. At last, the home fans could enjoy themselves.

Ineffective Second-Half Comeback Attempt

With little to lose, coach Nuno introduced a double substitution at half-time and altered to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen was quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the required spark.

A lingering sense of anxiety still clouded Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to clear the ball to safety or play out from the back. But, they need not have worried against such meek opponents. West Ham's inherent deficiencies were increasingly apparent as they created very little of substance in the attacking areas.

Critical Fixtures Lie Ahead

In the end, Wolves were the only side capable of adding to the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the embarrassment was not more severe. Focus now turns to a pivotal Tuesday encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for Premier League survival. On this evidence, the Hammers should have cause to be afraid.