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West Ham United's stuttering start to this season could hardly be compared to last season, such has been the difference. Last season Slaven Billic and his team were riding high having beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool away from home, two defeats at home to eventual Barclays Premier League winners Leicester City and newly promoted Bournemouth were obscured due to the positivity created by the victories over the 'big' teams.

Crystal Palace: 30 Mandanda 2 Ward 5 Tomkins 27 Delaney 34 Kelly 18 McArthur 16 Ledley 10 Townsend 42 Puncheon 11 Zaha 17 C Benteke Substitutes 7 Cabaye 9 Campbell 13 Hennessey 14 Lee Chung-yong 19 Fryers 21 Wickham 26 Sako
West Ham: 1 Adrián 2 Reid 8 Kouyaté 21 Ogbonna 30 Antonio 16 Noble 14 Obiang 3 Cresswell 10 Lanzini 11 Zaza 27 Payet Substitutes 4 Nordtveit 7 Feghouli 19 Collins 24 Fletcher 28 Calleri 31 Fernandes 34 Spiegel

If Simone Zaza had been banging goals in since his arrival at West Ham on loan from Juventus, the move would not have received anywhere near the amount of intense scrutiny it has, and if Hammers weren't hovering dangerously within the relegation zone of the Barclays Premier League his lack of form would not necessarily be a huge topic.