"I don't think we've conceded five worse goals as a team since I've played for West Ham," claimed Declan Rice in the moments after his side fell 5-1 to Newcastle United.
For the second time in just a few days, Newcastle United had picked up a comfortable win but yet again the opposition called into question the Toon Army's quality. Just as Luke Shaw did in the immediate aftermath of United's two-nil win over Man United, Rice seemed to overlook the clear quality that helped Eddie Howe's men to victory.
Now, no one is expecting the opposition to come and swoon over the goals that have defeated their side but at the same time, Rice's claims of the standard of United's goals don't tell the full truth. While it could be argued that all five goals were avoidable - with at least two being handed to Newcastle through West Ham errors - the goalscorers still showed composure and talent to put the ball in the back of the net.
Callum Wilson - six minutes
Having found themselves very much under the cosh in the opening five minutes, Newcatle's opening goal came against the run of play. As Hammers' boss David Moyes pointed out, it all started with a corner that was needlessly conceded. The ball was whipped in and Hammers' defender Thilo Kehrer panicked with no one around him, heading the ball out.
Having seen the corner cleared, it fell to the feet of Allan Saint-Maximin who dropped his shoulder, went one way, and sent Saïd Benrahma the other, before putting a delightful cross into the box. The movement from Callum Wilson was sublime as he shuffled away and then back into the centre and rose to head home.
A needless corner to concede? Yes, but the quality of Saint-Maximin's cross and the subsequent header from Wilson was something few defences would be able to deal with.
Joelinton - 13 minutes
Moyes made a point in his post-match press conference about this second goal that really showed his displeasure. "The second goal," he said, "I can't even use the words I'd like to use on that goal - how a center-half can kick it right through and someone can run off our defender and get in."
It kind of neglects the point that there was 12 passes made by Newcastle United before Schar fired the ball forward. It was a sign of a calm build-up with Newcastle passing the ball about until the opening presented itself. The pass itself from Schar was something magical too - a 25-yard ball that set Joelinton away.
The Brazilian made his run perfectly through the middle, holding his line until the last minute to stroll through. He then showed composure to round Fabiański and put the ball into the net - but more importantly, to keep playing until the whistle goes.
It was in truth a beautiful team goal from Newcastle - and one that showed the confidence Joelinton now has in a black and white shirt, something that 18 months ago he lacked.
Callum Wilson - 46 minutes
Nayef Aguerd has been one of the top performers this season for West Ham despite their troubles - and it was a boost that he passed a late fitness scare to play. Unfortunately for him, he was dispossessed in his own box and it led to Newcastle's third goal.
There's no getting away from it - it was a howler from Aguerd who took a big touch, invited Jacob Murphy in and lost the ball as he tried to turn back into the box. It was a moment of madness from Aguerd but at the same time, it was a sign of Murphy's commitment and effort.
United's game is very much press high and force the opposition into mistakes. It requires stamina and work ethic - and Murphy has that in abundance. He was quick to seize on the bad touch from Aguerd, showed strength to win the ball, and the real calmness to square to Wilson in the middle of the box to tap home.
Murphy of old may have taken the shot himself but seeing Wilson in space and at a better angle, put the team first. Aguerd will be having nightmares about his error but from a Newcastle point of view, it was a forced error from a game plan that has been followed to the letter.
Alexander Isak - 82 minutes
Similar to Aguerd, Fabiański will undoubtedly be kept awake by this error but from a Newcastle point of view, this was a cool and clinical finish from Alexander Isak.
It's a lovely ball first of all by Bruno Guimaraes over the top of the defence with Isak's pace frightening the Hammers, but the key point comes as Fabiański races out of his box and heads the ball. Anticipating it, you can clearly see Isak apply the breaks to his run, stop and just take a step back ready for the ball to drop.
It does so, and Isak takes full advantage by jumping to control it on his chest before lifting up and into the empty net. Helped by a horrible goalkeeping error but there's no taking away just how switched on Isak was to take full advantage.
Joelinton - 90 minutes
West Ham can have little complaints with this goal - it's just a very good goal. First off, it starts with Newcastle defending in a pack, stopping the opposition from getting into the box. Bruno collects the ball and plays a superb diagonal ball down the left to Joelinton who controls it and races toward the box.
Full of confidence, he switched from his right to left foot and fires into the corner. Should Fabiański have done better with the effort? Maybe but it was a shot of power from Joelinton - and placed into the far corner. It was yet again a sign of how dangerous Newcastle can be on the counter.
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