And so, after the thrills of a blistering start to the season and an international break spent with tongue stowed firmly in cheek amid musings on a title charge, the past fortnight has delivered West Ham a small reality check.
The 3-1 defeat by Manchester City which brought that unbeaten start to a forecast end was followed here at Anfield by another by the same scoreline, against opponents, in Liverpool, who look perhaps best-placed to add some jeopardy to what already has ominous potential to become a title stroll.
