🔗 Share this article

This setback represents one more embarrassing chapter in a troubled season for West Ham, increasing serious questions about the future of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The London club had the misfortune of becoming the initial team to lose to Wolves this term, allowing the West Midlands side to increase their league points and boost their hopes of evading a place in the history books as the least successful team in Premier League annals.

Commanding First-Half Performance Seals Long-Awaited Win

Fewer than the first four minutes into the new year, Wolves managed to demonstrate of discovering much-needed resolution. The lively Hwang Hee-chan offered a taste of his revitalised form with a long run before laying on an assist following neat combination play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who slid home from point-blank range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Vibrancy could be felt both on the field and in the terraces, a rarity for most of the term.

Facing a team woefully short on confidence and missing key player Lucas Paquetá through injury, this represented the hosts' best chance for a victory to date. At first confused by taking the lead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, falling deep with all men behind the ball early on.

Generous Guests Add to Their Own Problems

West Ham proved generous guests, contributing to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a routine clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa inside the box. The teenage midfielder, once of Rochdale, was proving the key man on the field. Hwang stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, doubling the lead. Ironic chants of "We're going to win the league" rang around Molineux.

Lacking belief and inspiration, West Ham drifted away from the game despite dominating the ball, managing just a single attempt in the opening period.

The away side's frustrations deepened just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youth among nervous adults, spun exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and fired a driven shot into the far corner from 18 yards for his maiden senior goal. Finally, the Wolves fans were enjoying themselves.

Fruitless Second-Half Response

With nothing to lose, coach Nuno made a double substitution at half-time and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. However, star attacker Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the required threat.

A lingering feeling of nervousness continued to clouded Wolves' decision-making, uncertain whether to clear the ball long or build patiently. But, they need not have been concerned against such meek opponents. West Ham's own failings were painfully apparent as they created very little of note in the attacking areas.

Crucial Matches Lie Ahead

In the end, Wolves looked like the sole side capable of increasing the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the damage was not more severe. Focus now shifts to a pivotal midweek fixture at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for top-flight safety. On this evidence, West Ham have cause to be very worried.