West Ham conceded a vital two points this weekend by throwing away a two-goal lead against Crystal Palace, which ensured the Hammers sat just one point above the relegation zone after ten matches.
Victory, meanwhile, would have seen West Ham rise to 13th in the Premier League table and sit just a couple of points behind the top-half, which would have significantly reduced the pressure on the club.
Now, the Hammers enter a crucial run of fixtures that sees them face high-fliers Liverpool and Watford before two crucial battles against fellow strugglers Leicester City and Everton, which means the next month will have a drastic effect on the course of the season.
Given the fashion of West Ham’s late collapse, the Hammers have faced many criticisms following the result and Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson gave a harsh assessment on Michail Antonio.
The winger conceded possession too easily with a poor cross that was easily gathered by Julian Speroni, allowing Palace to hit on the counter, and Thompson accused Antonio of being too arrogant and having a lack of professionalism.
“They’ll be screaming in the dressing room, they’ll be demanding answers from Michail Antonio. And I hope he’s walked in there and given the biggest apology ever because it was so unprofessional, so arrogant of him. He let his teammates down.”
