Pellegrini launches into the stars of West Ham after an abject exhibition

Manuel Pellegrini qualified the worst performance of the season in West Ham's 2-0 home defeat by Evert.

For the fourth time in this term, the Hammers had the chance to climb to seventh place and for the fourth time, they slapped him.

Instead, the goals of Kurt Zouma and Bernard in the first period saw a dominant Everton leapfrog West Ham and put them firmly in the running for the potential place of the Europa League.

"We played very badly in both boxes," said Hammers boss Pellegrini. "We did not create opportunities in their box and we conceded two goals in our box.

"Everton also had the chance to score more. It was one of those bad days.

"It was not just the worst performance at home, it was the worst performance of the year – outside or at home.

"My concern is that this is not the first time we have the opportunity to be seventh. Maybe this pressure is also affecting their performance.

"We need to find a way to think and play as a big team."

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