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Matty Etherington and Danny Gabbidon round on West Ham star after Everton defeat

Matthew Etherington (R) celebrates scoring the second goal for West Ham with Carlton Cole (C), John Paintstil (L) and Danny Gabbidon (Reuters)
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Former West Ham United teammates Matthew Etherington and Daniel Gabbidon took to Twitter to air criticism following their old club’s defeat to Everton.

West Ham United manager Slaven BilicWest Ham United manager Slaven Bilic

The Hammers slipped to their sixth defeat from 10 Premier League games when they lost 2-0 to Everton last time out.

The defeat was made all the more frustrating by the fact the Hammers could not make their first half dominance pay at Goodison Park with a series of missed chances.

Hammers fans were concerned at how quickly heads dropped following the opening goal given the mini-revival of late.

Everton's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal with Yannick BolasieEverton’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal with Yannick Bolasie

Romelu Lukaku got his somewhat inevitable goal to open the scoring as he nodded home following some lackadaisical defending from the Hammers.

And Lukaku turned provider as Ross Barkley doubled the hosts’ advantage when he reacted quickest after more slack defensive work.

Two former Hammer of the Year winners, Etherington and Gabbidon, took to Twitter to criticise Italian defender Angelo Ogbonna for the part he played in the defeat.

Everton's Idrissa Gueye in action with West Ham United's Angelo OgbonnaCriticised: Hammers defender Angelo Ogbonna

“Anyone else think Ogbonna has to do better for Barkley’s goal?” Etherington posted on Twitter.

“Jogs back into position and gives Lakaku plenty of space to cross.”

Gabbidon, a former West Ham teammate of Etherington, agreed.

“Thought exactly the same thing mate,” he replied.

West Ham United manager Slaven BilicWest Ham United manager Slaven Bilic

While West Ham should have more than enough quality to avoid a relegation battle, their performance at Everton showed they are not out of the woods yet.

They had turned a corner and Everton is a tough place to go, especially for West Ham who have lost more to the Blues than any other club in their history.

But with a poor goal difference the Hammers are sat 17th in the table just three points off the bottom three and with a hellish fixture list looming in the next month including games against Spurs, a double header against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Arsenal and Liverpool.

They need to roll their sleeves up and prove they want to make a success of their season, especially after Bilic admitted even he could see the complacency in his side this season.