🔗 Share this article

This latest setback represents a further demoralizing episode in a torrid season for West Ham, amplifying major doubts about the future of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The Hammers became the initial team to lose to Wolves in this campaign, enabling the Midlands team to double their league points and lift their hopes of avoiding the tag in the history books as the least successful team in Premier League history.

Commanding Opening Display Seals Long-Awaited Win

Fewer than the first four minutes of the match, Wolves were able to show signs of discovering some confidence. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his revitalised form with a lengthy run before laying on an assist thanks to sharp combination play with Mateus Mané. His pull-back found an unmarked 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 both on the pitch and in the terraces, a rarity for most of the season.

Facing a side terribly short on confidence and deprived of key talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the hosts' best chance for a win this season. At first unnerved by being ahead, Wolves chose to protect it fiercely, dropping back with eleven players behind the ball early on.

Generous Opponents Add to Their Own Problems

West Ham were generous guests, contributing to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the box. The teenage player, once of Rochdale, emerged as the key man on the field. Hwang took responsibility 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 contest despite dominating the ball, managing just a solitary attempt in the first half.

The away side's frustrations were compounded shortly before halftime. The fearless Mané, a youngster among nervous senior players, turned exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and unleashed a driven shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his first senior goal. At last, the Wolves supporters were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second Period Response

With nothing to lose, manager Nuno made a double change at half-time and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Yet, star forward Jarrod Bowen was muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the necessary spark.

A lingering sense of anxiety still clouded Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to hoof the ball long or play out patiently. But, they need not have been concerned against such meek resistance. West Ham's own deficiencies became increasingly apparent as they created very little of note in the attacking areas.

Crucial Matches On the Horizon

In the end, Wolves looked like the sole side likely of increasing the tally, and West Ham will be relieved the embarrassment was not greater. Focus now turns to a critical midweek encounter at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for top-flight survival. On this evidence, the Hammers should have cause to be afraid.