So what does David Moyes do now? It is one point, one goal scored and seven conceded from three games in charge, his side have the worst defensive record in the Premier League and a lengthening injury list.
Oh, and if he, his coaches and his West Ham team did not think that was bad enough, up next are Manchester City, yet to suffer a defeat in the Premier League and hot favourites for the title.
And, by the way, you remember the old chestnut about waiting for London buses and then three turn up at the same time? The same goes for steamrollers since, after City at the Etihad, Chelsea and then Arsenal are waiting, salivating in anticipation.
When he took the West Ham job, Moyes said he wanted to make his new team harder to beat. He was also confident there were goals in the team. He may be having second or even third thoughts now, though, following West Ham’s 4-0 thumping defeat by an Everton team who were going through a similar crisis of confidence.
Already some are questioning the Scot’s appointment. That is the instant gratification nature of the modern game but it is grossly unfair.
It took Sam Allardyce, who sat in the stands last night ahead of his imminent appointment as Everton’s new manager, some time before he managed to turn things around at Crystal Palace.
No, Moyes has signed a contract until the end of the season and will be happy to be judged then, not after three games for goodness’ sake.
So, what practically and realistically can this experienced manager do before Sunday’s match against the runaway leaders of the Premier League?
Well, not a lot, to be honest. His suspect defence already looks even more fragile today, with three central defenders — James Collins, Jose Fonte and Winston Reid, all of whom came off last night with what looked like hamstring problems — all injured.
Declan Rice looks likely to come in on Sunday but a couple more thumping defeats could have a serious effect on an 18-year-old.
The midfield looks equally threadbare but captain Mark Noble looks certain to replace Pedro Obiang. Up front, options are equally limited, with the perennial absence of Andy Carroll and Javier Hernandez not ready to return following a hamstring injury.
One change Moyes must make is his goalkeeper, with Joe Hart, on loan from Manchester City, ineligible. Adrian, his replacement, can be sure of a busy Sunday afternoon, with Pep Guardiola’s side having already scored 44 goals in the Premier League this season — compared to West Ham’s 12.
When Moyes succeeded Slaven Bilic as West Ham’s manager, some of the players made it clear to him that they did not believe they were fit enough. That aspect will take more time to improve than a couple of weeks. Fitness had nothing to do with Everton’s first goal, though, when Reid was caught out of position and Dominic Calvert-Lewin was brought down for the penalty from which Wayne Rooney scored at the second attempt.
Or the second goal. Cheikhou Kouyate allowed Rooney, never the quickest when he was in his prime, to breeze past him and side-foot home.
Or even the fourth, when Ashley Williams was able to steer a header unchallenged past Hart.
Which leaves the third goal, a brilliant piece of technique and timing when, from Hart’s scuffed clearance and from within his own half, Rooney directed the ball straight back into an unguarded net.
Moyes called the first-half display “submissive” but one suspects he and coach Stuart Pearce will have used more direct language at half-time to describe their team’s meek display.
There was a significant improvement in the second half, with Aaron Cresswell thundering a shot against the bar and then substitute Diafra Sakho being fouled by Williams for the second penalty of the match. Manuel Lanzini, though, saw his spot-kick attempt saved by Jordan Pickford.
Goals change matches and both at Everton and at Watford, West Ham had their chances but let them to slip away. Players also change matches, though, and Rooney, revelling in the space that West Ham gave him, rolled back the years with a virtuoso performance.
As for West Ham, it was two years ago, also at Everton, that they were losing 2-0. Then Romelu Lukaku missed a penalty and West Ham scored three in the final 11 minutes to win the game.
The star of the show that day was the audaciously talented but flawed Dimitri Payet. The man of the moment last night was the redoubtable Rooney.
It will be devilishly difficult for West Ham to unearth a player with anywhere near that pair’s capabilities in January.They must try, though, because they are not too good to go down.
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