West Ham 0 Brighton 3: Hammer horror show as Glenn Murray and Jose Izquierdo strike in stunning win

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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_20 October 2017

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic will be more concerned for his future than ever after watching his side succumb to a listless 3-0 defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Brighton.

After all the talk of wanting to put on a show for their home fans, the Hammers started like the away side, allowing Chris Hughton’s men plenty of time and space to go about their work.

Their lacklustre approach cost the hosts when, after Pedro Obiang allowed Glenn Murray to run free at a free-kick, the former Crystal Palace man rose un-challenge to head home an early opener.

Bilic’s side slowly clicked into gear but, with Manuel Lanzini often having to drop to the halfway line to pick up the ball and get things going, couldn’t get through the Brighton defence.

Action Images via Reuters

Having controlled the game since the goal, Bilic would have seen something to work with going into the break at 1-0 down, until Joe Hart – having denied Murray a second just moments before – failed to get a strong enough palm to Jose Izquierdo’s curling effort and sent the hosts into the break two down.

Things only got worse after the break. In the first half the Hammers were dominating the ball but just struggling to find that final ball, however, in the second they were struggling on the ball altogether.

Bilic’s problems were added to when Pablo Zabaleta tripped goalscorer Glenn Murray in the box and stepped up to slot past Hart for a second time and send the majority of the home support towards the exit.