Honeymoon ends for birthday boy Slav

On the eve of his 48th birthday Slaven Bilic learned the honeymooon really is over.

But my overwhelming emotion at the end of this horrible affair was one of the greatest sympathy for the magnificent Michail Antonio.

An all action performance of pride and purpose plus two more headed goals shows him to be one of the most powerful and effective players in the country.

To run out a 4-2 loser via in part some dreadful defending from James Collins and highly uncertain keeping from Adrian was just WRONG – heart bleeds for the bloke.

The decision to play Ginge surprised me big time anyway. This was a game for Angelo Ogbonna who I believe to be the best central defender at the club.

But it wasn’t so much the defending that upset me – poor though it was – as the lack of energy and desire when we went 3-2 and then 4-2 down.

We saw nothing like enough of the ball, barely pressed the game and although Lanzini was a great outlet, Dimi – yes I know there was a world class assist for Antonio’s first – wasn’t truly on the game that wowed the Euro 2016 games in the summer.

I’m not sure this would have happened at Upton Park – every team is loving playing at The London Stadium and it’s a fear I have had since writing about it towards the end of last season.

Slaven admitted hiself that initially these would feel like away games and they do. There’s also still an atmosphere inside the ground which really isn’t good.

That is not an excuse for defeat or even a reason- just an observation.

The issue now lies with Mr Bilic – his first serious test is at hand and it was written all over DG’s face as the camera beamed in and saw a mixture of anger, frustration and despair.

No panic at this stage but the pressure is building.