West Ham analysis: The end could be close for Slaven Bilic as fans turn on Hammers boss

West Ham are only one place clear of the relegation zone after a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to newly-promoted Brighton.

Slaven Bilic's side dominated possession but were toothless in attack and made far too many mistakes at the back.

Glenn Murray opened the scoring early in the first half with an unmarked scoring from a Pascal Gross free-kick before Joe Hart failed to get a powerful enough hand on Jose Izquierdo's long-range effort. Murray wrapped up the victory from the penalty spot in the second period after being brought down by Pablo Zabaleta.

Jack Rosser assesses the key talking points at the London Stadium...

Slaven Bilic has had a decent run as West Ham manager, however, when he may have just thought the pressure was easing somewhat, this result will have him at his lowest ebb in east London.

With fans in and around the concourse calling for his departure, even at half-time, and his second half change to bring Arnautovic off prompting boos from the stands (not for the first time) it may well be that, despite the owners insistence that they don’t sack their managers, his time is at an end.

When West Ham signed Marko Arnautovic in the summer, many questioned the Austrian’s £23m price-tag, and while he was far from the only player to command a fee above that at which many would value him, the former Stoke man has done little to justify it thus far.

His red card at Southampton showed a fiery streak many were concerned about when the deal was announced, however, there was hope that the same attitude would make him an unpredictable force going forward.

His performance against Brighton, though, could not have been further from that assumption.

With Hughton’s side asking the Hammers to break them down for the vast majority of the evening, Arnautovic cut a frustrated and disinterested figure, offering little in the attempts to get past Brighton’s back line before he was hooked in the second half.

There has been plenty of talk this season that, after a year of settling into their surroundings, the West Ham players and staff now look forward to playing at home.

This game was no different, Bilic spoke in the build-up about doing all they can as a club, whether that be creating memories on nights under the lights such as against Brighton or changing the colour of the pitch surroundings.

Judging by Friday’s performance it’s going to take a lot more than a lick of paint to feel confident in Stratford.

A game under the lights normally brings with it a boisterous atmosphere from the start, however, with the home fans making little noise throughout and deserting the ground with over ten minutes to go, there’s little for the players to look forward to at London Stadium.