Jarrod Bowen, the West Ham captain, contemplates his team’s defeat by Newcastle

Credit : Scott Heppell/Reuters

The relegation pass-the-parcel has been tossed into West Ham ’s lap and the music is about to stop after this abject surrender to Newcastle United .

There is not a present waiting for them to unwrap, there is a bomb ready to explode. The economic and reputational damage will be severe and West Ham only have themselves to blame.

They were serenaded with chants of “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” after the final whistle. They deserved to hear them, the players hanging their heads in shame or standing dejectedly with hands on hip listening to the anger raining down from above.

West Ham United are all but relegated following their defeat by Newcastle United

Credit : Scott Heppell/Reuters

“It hurts a lot, of course,” Nuno said when asked about that reaction to the defeat. “This is our job, this is our life, but the fans are right and today they show their anger and frustration.…