đź”— Share this article Wolves Demolish Struggling West Ham to Secure Opening League Win of the Campaign This latest setback represents a further humiliating chapter in an torrid season for West Ham, amplifying significant doubts about the prospects of head coach Nuno EspĂrito Santo. The London club became the initial team to succumb to Wolves this term, enabling the Midlands outfit to increase their league points and boost their aspirations of avoiding a place in the history books as the least successful team in Premier League history. Dominant Opening Display Seals Historic Win Fewer than four minutes of the new year, Wolves managed to show signs of discovering some resolve. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan provided a taste of his rejuvenated abilities with a lengthy run before turning provider following neat combination play with Mateus ManĂ©. The resulting 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. Vibrancy could be felt both on the pitch and in the terraces, a rarity for most of the season. Facing a side terribly out of form and deprived of creative talent Lucas Paquetá due to injury, this was the home side's clearest opportunity for a victory to date. Initially confused by taking the lead, Wolves chose to protect it fiercely, dropping back with all players behind the ball from an early stage. Compliant Guests Add to Their Own Problems West Ham were accommodating guests, adding to their own demise. First, former Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to make a simple clearance from a cross, allowing ManĂ© to intervene, before being fouled by Soungoutou Magassa in the box. The 18-year-old player, formerly of Rochdale, was proving the most influential figure on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to score the subsequent penalty, extending the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We're going to win the league" echoed around Molineux. Lacking belief and inspiration, West Ham drifted away from the game despite dominating the ball, managing just a single shot in the opening period. The away side's woes deepened just prior to halftime. The confident ManĂ©, a youngster among nervous adults, spun beautifully, drove infield from the left, and fired a driven shot into the far corner from 18 yards for his maiden professional goal. Finally, the Wolves fans were enjoying themselves. Fruitless Second-Half Response With little to lose, coach Nuno introduced a double change at the interval and switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Yet, key forward Jarrod Bowen remained muted, and even introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the necessary threat. A persistent feeling of nervousness continued to affected Wolves' decision-making, unsure whether to clear the ball to safety or play out patiently. But, they had no need to worried against such passive opponents. West Ham's own deficiencies were increasingly obvious as they produced nothing of note in the attacking areas. Critical Matches Lie Ahead In the end, Wolves were the only side likely of adding to the scoreline, and West Ham will be relieved the embarrassment was not more severe. Attention now shifts to a pivotal Tuesday encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for top-flight survival. Based on this evidence, West Ham should have cause to be afraid.