The Hammers looked bereft of confidence from the moment the game began and suffered their most depressing defeat of the season yet as Moyes returned to his former stamping ground - and once again, as in his previous four returns as manager of Manchester United and Sunderland, left empty-handed.

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Wayne Rooney - who had spent recent matches on the bench after being dropped by David Unsworth - returned to haunt the Hammers with his first Premier League hat-trick in six years.

The former England captain opened the scoring from the penalty spot with 18 minutes on the clock, heading home a rebound after Joe Hart had saved his initial spot kick. Ten minutes later he doubled his account from close range after yet more indecision in the West Ham defence.

Following a bright start to the second half, West Ham were rewarded with a penalty when substitute Diafra Sakho was hauled to the ground. However Manuel Lanzini's shot low to his left - the same area in which he'd placed all three of his previous successful efforts for the Hammers - was saved by Jordan Pickford.

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Rooney completed his hat-trick midway through the second half when he fired a dreadful clearance by Hart straight back over the 'keeper's head from inside his own half - a goal reminiscent of the one he scored for Manchester United at Upton Park back in 2014.

And Everton defender Ashley Williams heaped further misery upon the Hammers when nodding home a fourth from a corner just 12 minutes from time, having being allowed a free header after marker Declan Rice was blocked by a team mate who prevented him from following his man.

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David Moyes looked visibly shellshocked at the final whistle, as his players trudged off following yet another demoralising defeat. To their credit, the travelling fans were in superb voice and remained behind the team throughout - albeit occasionally adding the occasional chant of "sack the Board", to provide a little variety.

West Ham - who could be bottom of the table by the time they next play - face a daunting schedule between now and Christmas, with Man City (a, this Sunday), Chelsea (h), Arsenal (h&a), Stoke (a) to come before a home encounter with Newcastle.

No doubt Moyes and his team will already be looking to address some of the problems present in the team in the forthcoming transfer window - which, on tonight's evidence - can't come soon enough.

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