This defeat represents one more humiliating chapter in a troubled season for West Ham, raising serious questions about the prospects of head coach Nuno EspÃrito Santo. The London club had the misfortune of becoming the first team to fall to Wolves this term, allowing the Midlands side to double their league points and lift their aspirations of avoiding the tag in the record books as the least successful team in Premier League annals.
Within four minutes of the new year, Wolves managed to demonstrate of discovering much-needed resolve. The energetic Hwang Hee-chan offered a taste of his rejuvenated abilities with a long run before turning provider thanks to neat link-up play with Mateus Mané. His cut-back found an untracked Jhon Arias, who slid home from close range to give Wolves a home lead for the first time since October. Energy could be felt equally on the pitch and in the stands, a sight for most of the season.
Facing a side woefully short on confidence and deprived of creative 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 men behind the ball early on.
West Ham were generous guests, adding to their own downfall. First, ex- Wolves captain Max Kilman failed to execute a routine clearance from a cross, allowing Mané to intervene, only to be brought down by Soungoutou Magassa inside the box. The 18-year-old player, formerly of Rochdale, emerged as the key man on the pitch. Hwang took responsibility to score the subsequent spot-kick, doubling the advantage. Tongue-in-cheek chants of "We will win the league" rang around Molineux.
Lacking confidence and inspiration, West Ham were drifting away from the game even with dominating the ball, managing just a single shot in the opening period.
The away side's woes were compounded just prior to halftime. The confident Mané, a youth among nervous senior players, turned exquisitely, cut in from the left flank, and unleashed a driven effort into the bottom corner from outside the box for his maiden professional goal. At last, the home supporters were enjoying themselves.
With little to lose, coach Nuno introduced a two substitution at the interval and switched to a offensive 3-4-3 shape. Yet, key forward Jarrod Bowen remained quiet, and the introduction of Crysencio Summerville failed to generate the required threat.
A lingering sense of nervousness continued to clouded Wolves' judgment, unsure whether to hoof the ball long or build from the back. However, they had no need to worried against such passive resistance. West Ham's own deficiencies became painfully apparent as they created nothing of note in the final third.
Ultimately, Wolves were the only side capable of adding to the scoreline, and West Ham will be relieved the embarrassment was not greater. Attention now turns to a pivotal Tuesday encounter at home to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a match essential in the battle for Premier League survival. On this evidence, the Hammers should have every reason to be very worried.
Milan is een ervaren opticien met een passie voor visuele technologie en klantgerichtheid.
