West Ham United's relegation fears were brutally exposed as they were torn apart by a Wolverhampton Wanderers side who claimed their first Premier League victory of a desperate season. In a stunning reversal of form, the league's bottom-placed team ran out 3-0 winners at a jubilant Molineux, leaving the visiting Hammers looking utterly bereft of fight and quality.
A First-Half Surrender Seals West Ham's Fate
The match was effectively over by half-time after a catastrophic opening 45 minutes from the visitors. Wolves, who had not won a league game since April 2025, took the lead inside four minutes. Jhon Arias slammed home from close range after Hwang Hee-chan's intelligent low cross, sparking wild celebrations and setting the tone for a rampant display.
Rob Edwards' side, playing with an energy and desire absent for most of the campaign, doubled their lead from the penalty spot after a VAR check. Hwang Hee-chan confidently converted after Mateus Mané was fouled by Soungoutou Magassa. The humiliation was complete four minutes before the break when Mateus Mané was given acres of space to fire a low 18-yard drive past Alphonse Areola for 3-0.
No Fight, No Hope for Travelling Support
For the 3,000 West Ham fans who made the trip, the nature of the defeat was as galling as the result itself. Their team offered no meaningful resistance, appearing fragile in defence and devoid of invention in attack. Save for a few flashes from Crysencio Summerville, there was nothing to suggest Nuno's men believed they could mount a comeback.
The sight of hundreds of away supporters leaving Molineux long before the final whistle spoke volumes. In stark contrast, the home faithful, who have endured a torrid season, joyously mocked their former manager with chants of "Nuno is a Wolves fan" and even jokingly sang "we're gonna win the league."
Relegation Reality Bites for Nuno and West Ham
The result leaves West Ham in a dire predicament. Winless in nine matches and now four points from safety with 20 games played, the prospect of dropping into the Championship is becoming a grim reality. The performance raised serious questions about both the squad's ability and their stomach for the survival battle ahead.
For Wolves, the victory was a long-overdue reward and a potential turning point. Having collected just three points prior to this game, they avoided the ignominy of being labelled the worst team in Premier League history—a record still held by Derby County's 11-point haul in 2007-08. This was their first league win in 20 attempts this season. While survival remains a monumental task, this display proved they are prepared to go down fighting.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo's frustration was palpable at full-time, storming down the tunnel without shaking the hand of his opposite number, Rob Edwards. As the new year of 2026 begins, it brings fresh hope for Wolves, but only deepening despair for West Ham.
