This defeat marks one more embarrassing chapter in a difficult season for West Ham, raising major questions about the future of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The London club became the initial team to succumb to Wolves in this campaign, enabling the Midlands side to double their points tally and lift their hopes of evading the tag in the record books as the worst team in Premier League history.
Within the first four minutes of the match, Wolves managed to demonstrate of discovering much-needed resolution. The lively Hwang Hee-chan offered a glimpse of his rejuvenated form with a long run before turning provider thanks to neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. His pull-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Vibrancy was evident equally on the field and in the terraces, a sight for much of the term.
Facing a team woefully short on confidence and missing key player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the hosts' best opportunity for a victory this season. At first unnerved by taking the lead, Wolves chose to protect it doggedly, falling back with all players behind the ball from an early stage.
West Ham proved generous visitors, adding to their own demise. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman was unable to execute a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to pounce, only to be 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 field. Hwang stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux.
Lacking belief and ideas, West Ham drifted out of the game despite dominating possession, managing just a solitary attempt in the opening period.
The away side's woes deepened just prior to halftime. The fearless Mané, a youngster among nervous senior players, spun exquisitely, cut in from the left flank, and unleashed a low shot into the far corner from outside the box for his maiden senior goal. Finally, the Wolves fans could enjoy themselves.
With little to lose, coach Nuno introduced a two substitution at the interval and altered to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. However, key forward Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to provide the required threat.
A lingering sense of anxiety still affected Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to hoof the ball to safety or play out from the back. But, they need not have worried against such passive resistance. West Ham's inherent failings were increasingly apparent as they produced nothing of substance in the final third.
In the end, Wolves looked like the only side capable of adding to the tally, and West Ham will be relieved the damage was not greater. Focus now shifts to a critical Tuesday encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for top-flight survival. On this showing, West Ham have cause to be afraid.
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