West Ham slump to embarrassing defeat at West Brom as Manchester City maintain perfect start

West Ham United's alarming regression under Slaven Bilic continued with a slightly surreal 4-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (17 September). Hopes were high for the Hammers this term following an impressive first season under the Croatian, a host of new signings and their move to the Olympic Stadium, but they have now lost four of five Premier League matches in 2016/17 to go along with their Europa League play-off round loss to Astra Giurgiu.

West Brom had won just one of their last 13 matches amid a poor end to a lacklustre summer transfer window and doubts surrounding the future of divisive manager Tony Pulis following the long-awaited completion of a takeover by Guochuan Lai's Chinese investment group Yunyi Guokai (Shanghai) Sports Development Limited. However, they were set on their way to a first home victory since March when new signing Nacer Chadli punished Arthur Masuaku for an inexplicable handball by notching his first Baggies goal from the penalty spot after just eight minutes.

Salomon Rondon and James McClean extended the hosts' advantage before half-time and West Ham conceded four goals for the second time in just seven days when former Tottenham Hotspur winger Chadli completed his brace.

Michail Antonio reduced the deficit with yet another headed goal and Manuel Lanzini notched a spot-kick of his own when Dimitri Payet was fouled by loanee Brendan Galloway, but it was not enough to spark an unlikely comeback.

Elsewhere in the top-flight, leaders Manchester City's hugely impressive start to life under Pep Guardiola continued as they retained their 100% record with an emphatic drubbing of Bournemouth. Kevin de Bruyne struck the first blow with a clever low free-kick before Kelechi Iheanacho, still deputising for the suspended Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and league debutant Ilkay Gundogan all netted. Nolito was shown a straight red card with less than five minutes remaining for an attempted headbutt on Adam Smith.

At the KCOM Stadium, Arsenal beat promoted Hull City 4-1 thanks largely to a brace from Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean forward also saw a penalty saved by Eldin Jakupovic after Jake Livermore was dismissed for handball, but the Gunners eventually eased to victory after a second-half effort from Theo Walcott and substitute Granit Xhaka's stunning long-range strike. Robert Snodgrass had brought Mike Phelan's side back to within one goal from 12 yards when Petr Cech was adjudged to have fouled Dieumerci Mbokani.

Defending champions Leicester City continued their recovery from last weekend's thumping defeat to Liverpool by confidently dispatching Burnley in the East Midlands. The Foxes, who began their maiden Champions League campaign with a straightforward defeat of Club Brugge on Wednesday (14 September), eased to another 3-0 win courtesy of two headers from £29m ($37.7m) record signing Islam Slimani on his home debut and Ben Mee's own goal 12 minutes from time.

On Friday night, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool further underlined their credentials with a 2-1 win at Chelsea. Tomorrow, Watford entertain Manchester United, Crystal Palace host Stoke City, Swansea City travel to Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur face Sunderland.