West Ham analysis: Nuno's nightmare home start

This was a miserable night on and off the pitch for the hosts.

There were plenty of empty seats amid the latest phase of protests organised by fan group Hammers United, who want chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to leave.

Both have been at the club for 15 years and were instrumental in the Hammers’ move from Upton Park to London Stadium, which hosted athletics at the 2012 Olympics.

A large number of fans feel the club lost a large part of their identity with the move from their atmospheric former home.

Before the loss to Crystal Palace last month, which proved to be Graham Potter’s last game in charge before he was sacked, about 3,000 Hammers fans protested outside the directors’ entrance. The supporters were unhappy at a perceived lack of investment in the squad and training facilities, the appointment of unsuccessful managers and the matchday experience.

It is hard to imagine how Nuno’s first home game in charge could have gone much worse. Apart from one bright run from Crysencio Summerville from the halfway line to the penalty area and Jarrod Bowen’s low strike being saved, there was little to excite West Ham fans, with most supporters leaving for home well before the final whistle.

Nuno’s half-time triple substitution came back to haunt him. The fans again booed the decision to not bring on striker Callum Wilson with 20 minutes remaining, before a late hamstring injury for Konstantinos Mavropanos left the Hammers with 10 men for the end of the game, unable to make any more changes.

Portuguese coach Nuno started the season at Nottingham Forest, having earned them European football, before he was dismissed at the start of September, only to then become West Ham boss three weeks later.

But this was a painful sign of how big a challenge he faces as he attempts to keep West Ham in the top flight. On this evidence, West Ham face a long season and a relegation battle.

What’s next for both teams?

West Ham, who have now lost all four of their home league matches, play at Leeds United on Friday, before they return to London Stadium to play Newcastle on Sunday, 2 November.

Brentford entertain reigning champions Liverpool on Saturday and then travel to League Two Grimsby Town in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, 28 October.