This defeat represents a further demoralizing chapter in an troubled season for West Ham, amplifying major doubts about the prospects of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The London club had the misfortune of becoming the first team to succumb to Wolves this term, allowing the Midlands side to increase their points tally and boost their aspirations of evading a place in the history books as the worst team in Premier League history.
Fewer than four minutes into the new year, Wolves were able to demonstrate of discovering much-needed resolve. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a glimpse of his revitalised abilities with a lengthy run before turning provider following neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. The resulting pull-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from point-blank range to give Wolves a lead at Molineux for the first time since October. Vibrancy could be felt both on the field and in the stands, a rarity for much of the season.
Facing a side woefully out of form and missing key player Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this represented the hosts' clearest chance for a victory to date. Initially confused by taking the lead, Wolves opted to defend it fiercely, dropping back with eleven players behind the ball from an early stage.
West Ham were generous visitors, adding to their own downfall. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to intervene, only to be fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the penalty area. The teenage player, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the most influential figure on the pitch. Hwang stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.
Short on belief and inspiration, West Ham drifted away from the game despite controlling the ball, managing just a single shot in the first half.
The away side's frustrations deepened shortly before halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among nervous senior players, spun exquisitely, drove infield from the left, and unleashed a driven effort into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his maiden professional goal. At last, the Wolves fans could enjoy themselves.
With little to lose, coach Nuno made a double change at half-time and altered to a offensive 3-4-3 formation. Yet, key forward Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the necessary spark.
A persistent sense of anxiety still affected Wolves' judgment, uncertain whether to hoof the ball long or build patiently. However, they need not have been concerned against such meek opponents. West Ham's inherent failings became painfully apparent as they created nothing of note in the attacking areas.
Ultimately, Wolves looked like the sole side likely of adding to the scoreline, and West Ham will be thankful the damage was not greater. Attention now shifts to a pivotal midweek fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the fight for top-flight survival. On this showing, the Hammers should have every reason to be very worried.
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