🔗 Share this article Wolves Rout Woeful West Ham to Secure First Premier League Victory of the Campaign This loss represents another demoralizing chapter in an torrid season for West Ham, raising major doubts about the prospects of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The London club had the misfortune of becoming the initial team to fall to Wolves in this campaign, allowing the West Midlands side to double their league points and boost their hopes of evading a place in the history books as the worst team in Premier League history. Dominant First-Half Performance Seals Long-Awaited Victory Within the first four minutes into the match, Wolves managed to demonstrate of finding some confidence. The lively Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his rejuvenated abilities with a long run before laying on an assist following neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. His cut-back found an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since early October. Energy was evident both on the pitch and in the terraces, a rarity for much of the season. Facing a side woefully out of form and deprived of creative talent Lucas Paquetá through injury, this represented the hosts' best opportunity for a victory to date. Initially confused by being ahead, Wolves opted to protect it fiercely, falling back with eleven men behind the ball from an early stage. Compliant Opponents Add to West Ham's Problems West Ham were accommodating guests, contributing to their own downfall. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to execute a simple clearance from a cross, letting Mané to pounce, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa inside the penalty area. The 18-year-old midfielder, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the key man on the field. Hwang took responsibility to score the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the lead. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux. Lacking confidence and inspiration, West Ham drifted out of the contest even with controlling the ball, registering just a solitary shot in the first half. The visitors' frustrations were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among trepidatious senior players, spun beautifully, drove infield from the left flank, and fired a low effort into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his first senior goal. At last, the Wolves fans were enjoying themselves. Ineffective Second Period Response With nothing to lose, manager Nuno made a double change at the interval and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 shape. However, star forward Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville did not generate the required threat. A persistent sense of anxiety continued to clouded Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to hoof the ball to safety or build patiently. However, they had no need to worried against such passive resistance. West Ham's inherent failings became increasingly obvious as they produced nothing of note in the attacking areas. Crucial Matches Lie Ahead In the end, Wolves looked like the only side capable of increasing the tally, and West Ham will be relieved the embarrassment was not more severe. Attention now shifts to a pivotal Tuesday fixture at home to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a match vital in the battle for top-flight survival. On this evidence, West Ham should have every reason to be very worried.