Wolverhampton Wanderers ended a four-game losing run at Molineux in the Premier League as Daniel Podence's strike secured a 1-0 win over West Ham United.
In a crucial basement battle in the Premier League table, the Portuguese attacker netted early in the second half to pile the pressure on under-fire Hammers coach David Moyes.
Despite displaying some intricate build-up play around the penalty area, a lack of penetration bedevilled Wolves in the opening exchanges, which were very much stop-start as players on both sides picked up bumps and bruises at will.
Vladimir Coufal squandered a golden opportunity at the back stick in the 32nd minute as Moyes's side showed a flicker of attacking intent, but a drab first half ended without the net rippling once.
However, it only took three minutes for Julen Lopetegui's side to draw first blood in the second half, as Matheus Nunes's cross from the right was cut out by Aaron Cresswell, but the ball fell kindly for Podence to power home into the bottom corner.
There was little in the way of killer instinct from Moyes's men as Wolves comfortably held on to their one-goal advantage, and Lopetegui's side should have been out of sight with 15 minutes to go.
Ruben Neves and Rayan Ait-Nouri both smacked the woodwork within a few seconds of one another, although the latter was offside after following up from Neves's crashing effort.
A lapse in concentration at the back from Wolves nearly allowed Said Benrahma to suddenly restore parity for West Ham in the 80th minute, but the Algerian's poor effort was meat and drink for Jose Sa.
Gianluca Scamacca and Declan Rice both wasted opportunities in the six minutes of added time, and Raul Jimenez thought he had doubled Wolves' tally right at the death, but VAR intervened to rule the Mexican's goal out for offside.
Lopetegui's side have now risen above the dreaded relegation line into 16th place in the rankings, while West Ham - who are now without a win in seven Premier League games - have now taken Wolves' spot in the drop zone.
An FA Cup replay with Liverpool awaits Wolves on January 17 before another daunting Premier League clash at Manchester City next weekend, when West Ham welcome Everton to the capital.
Ben Knapton
