🔗 Share this article Wolves Demolish Sorry West Ham to Claim First League Win of the Campaign This latest loss represents a further demoralizing episode in an torrid season for West Ham, raising serious doubts about the future of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The Hammers became the first team to lose to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the Midlands side to double their points tally and boost their aspirations of evading a place in the history books as the worst team in Premier League history. Commanding First-Half Display Seals Historic Win Within the first four minutes of the new year, Wolves managed to demonstrate of finding some resolution. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his revitalised abilities with a long run before laying on an assist following sharp link-up play with Mateus Mané. His pull-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who tapped in from point-blank range to give Wolves a lead at Molineux for the first time since early October. Vibrancy could be felt equally on the field and in the stands, a sight for much of the term. Facing a side woefully out of form and missing key player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the hosts' best chance for a win to date. At first unnerved by being ahead, Wolves opted to protect it fiercely, falling deep with all players behind the ball from an early stage. Generous Opponents Compound West Ham's Miseries West Ham proved accommodating visitors, adding to their own demise. First, ex- 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 box. The 18-year-old midfielder, once of Rochdale, emerged as the key man on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to score the subsequent penalty, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" rang around Molineux. Short on confidence and inspiration, West Ham were drifting away from the game even with controlling possession, registering just a single attempt in the opening period. The visitors' woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youngster among trepidatious senior players, spun exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and fired a low shot into the bottom corner from outside the box for his first senior goal. At last, the Wolves supporters were enjoying themselves. Ineffective Second Period Response With little to lose, manager Nuno introduced a two change at half-time and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. However, key forward Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the necessary spark. A persistent sense of anxiety still affected Wolves' judgment, uncertain whether to hoof the ball long or play out patiently. However, they had no need to worried against such meek resistance. West Ham's inherent failings became increasingly obvious as they created very little of substance in the final third. Critical Fixtures On the Horizon Ultimately, Wolves were the sole side likely of adding to the tally, and West Ham will be thankful the damage was not greater. Focus now shifts to a pivotal Tuesday encounter at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for Premier League survival. Based on this evidence, West Ham have cause to be very worried.