Another car crash at Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace 2 West Ham 1

Oh well, just another Christmas at West Ham. Boxing Day arrives with news that Michail Antonio has crashed his Lamborghini into a bin shed while dressed as a snowman on Christmas Day, as you do. Seems like he drives like he plays, lots of acceleration but sometimes let down by a lack of control. 

Antonio makes the line-up at Palace though minus his snowman costume and Zabaleta replaces the suspended Fredericks. Roberto also returns with Fabianski and Martin both still not fit. To be fair to the maligned Hammers' keeper, he makes a couple of decent stops from Ayew and Wickham and isn't at fault for the goals.

Ayew goes close for Palace but a goalless first half offers hope. Even more so when against the run of play the Irons take the lead. Antonio makes a powerful run inside and finds Snodgrass with a great through ball, which the Scotsman finishes really well. Maybe Michail should crash his car before every game.

But as so often this season the Hammers panic after taking the lead. As the side sit back Ayew's header is volleyed home by none other than Cheikhou Kouyate. To give him credit he doesn't celebrate and you do wonder why he was sold without a better replacement being signed than Wilshere or Sanchez. 

Snodgrass has a goalbound effort blocked, but it's almost inevitable that West Ham concede a 90th minute winner. It's a great solo run from Ayew, though he skips past Rice, Ogbonna and Balbuena with far too much ease. Roberto can't be faulted for the chip over him, which is a classy finish. With the Hammers needing a late equaliser it's strange that Pellegrini has subbed Haller, though at least Lanzini gets some minutes.

But it's a depressing result and the Hammers slump to fourth from bottom again with Pellegrini still in danger of a Christmas sacking. Leicester tomorrow and Bournemouth on New Year's Day will surely hold the key to his future.