The 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest in the away fixture has increased the significance of the upcoming Everton home match for West Ham. This is due to the fact that a defeat against Sean Dyche's side at the London Stadium could increase the chances of the Hammers facing a relegation-battle after the international break.
Currently, West Ham have eleven points from ten matches and are fourteenth in the league table, having two points more than sixteenth-placed Everton. If Everton secures an away win against Julen Lopetegui's side, the visitors will go above West Ham in the Premier League table. Everton had been undefeated for five consecutive league matches before their recent 1-0 away defeat against Southampton, thus could replicate a quality performance similar to Nottingham Forest's all-round display in their 3-0 win against the Hammers.
Why the Hammers could face a relegation-battle after the international break
Further, Leicester City are only one point behind West Ham and could also move above Julen Lopetegui's side in the league table if they manage to secure some points against Manchester United. Moreover, Crystal Palace are seventeenth and are just outside the relegation-zone with seven points, meaning West Ham could drop to the bottom-table if their results don't improve in the massive fixtures against Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Meanwhile, a few wins for these sides will lead to West Ham facing the relegation-battle and the Hammers relying on taking a few important points in the next few matches before the second half of the season. A lot of West Ham fans expected the club to compete with other top teams to achieve qualification for European football, thus, a relegation-battle would lead West Ham to make a number of new signings in the January transfer window to avoid getting relegated.
However, if West Ham are defeated by Everton, signing a new manager such as Edin Terzic can play a key role in the Hammers making a comeback in the Premier League during the second half of the season.