Hammers failing to grab points

Opening weekend. West Ham is one minute away (and some injury time) from gaining a crucial away point at Chelsea. That point evaporates via the right foot of Diego Costa in the 89^th minute as the Hammers fall, 2-1.

Was it a sign of struggles to come from level and winning second-half positions for the Hammers this Premier League season? Yes, it was a flashing red sign.

Leading away late to Tottenham on Saturday, West Ham watched it slip away in cruel fashion via another big-scoring forward, Harry Kane, who scored in the 89^th minute and one minute into injury time to snatch three points away from the Hammers, who lost, 3-2.

Throw in the 4-2 loss to Watford on Sept. 10, which saw West Ham concede four goals in 22 minutes, beginning with two in the final five minutes of the first half that wiped out a two-goal lead at home.

West Ham currently sits 17^th place in the table on 11 points, one point above the relegation zone. There are nine potential points, however, the Hammers have let slip away this season. Chelsea, Tottenham and Watford account for seven of the nine points. A 2-0 loss at Everton on Oct. 30 and 1-1 draw at home with Stoke on Nov. 5 were two more potential points. Everton scored twice in the second half to break a scoreless deadlock while Stoke equalized in the 75^th minute. Thirteen of the 23 goals the Hammers have conceded this season have either been equalizers or given the lead to the opponent this season.

Adding those nine points to the Hammers’ haul this season would give them 20, put them ahead of Manchester United and knocking on the door of the top five.

Looking at goals for and against this season, the Hammers have played the opposition even through the first 30 minutes this season, scoring three and conceding three. When it comes to the last hour, West Ham has been doubled up by opponents, conceding 20 goals and scoring 10 in reply. Fifteen of those 20 goals have been conceded in the second half, including nine in the final 30 minutes.