Crystal Palace fans taunted David Sullivan and Karren Brady in their Premier League clash at the London Stadium and West Ham erupted in rare scenes.
Thousands of West Ham fans joined a protest against majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady ahead of the crucial clash against Crystal Palace.
West Ham lost yet again, their fifth defeat in six games so far this season, to plunge Graham Potter’s future into serious doubt.
But it was what happened off the pitch that was most significant.
Videos show the West Ham protest turnout as Sullivan and Brady’s positions become increasingly untenable.
After a dismal start to the new Premier League season, the match was a must-win for West Ham.
Potter on the brink after another West Ham defeat
But it was billed as a must-not-lose for Potter if he wants to keep his job as Hammers boss.
Especially with Sullivan and Brady having met with Nuno Espirito Santo for talks this week.
Sullivan has cut off West Ham-related media citing a lack of support amid the latest fan uprising.
But he would have found it difficult to deny those manager talks given pictures emerged of Nuno at a restaurant walking distance from Sullivan’s Essex mansion.
It remains to be seen what happens with Potter after yet another defeat.
Hammers supporters lined the streets of the director’s entrance to vent their feelings to Sullivan, Brady and the board as they arrived for the game.
Fans made a point of cheering the team bus when players arrived, though, emphasising they are supporting them despite their beef with the ownership.
Ahead of the match, Crystal Palace superfan Dan Cook of HLTCO, showed he “gets it” about West Ham, perfectly assessing their grievances.
And he is not alone among the Eagles support it seems.
Palace fans taunt Sullivan and Brady and West Ham erupt
The Palace fanbase have always stood up for the rights of football supporters with their chants, actions and tifos.
They were at it again at the London Stadium too.
Crystal Palace fans taunted Sullivan and Brady and West Ham erupted.
After the protests, West Ham fans made their way into the ground to get behind the team.
But it was like Groundhog Day for the Hammers and their supporters.
West Ham fell behind yet again at the London Stadium, where they had won just twice under Potter all year.
And once again it was from a corner, the seventh the Hammers have conceded from a corner in five games this season – a new record.
Marc Guehi simply wanted it more as he leapt above Max Kilman, forcing a save from Alphonse Areola, who was then prone and helpless to stop Jean-Philippe Mateta nodding home.
Boos rang out at half-time, aimed as much as the West Ham director’s box as it was the players.
But it was something the Palace fans did which brought one of the biggest rounds of applause of the day from the home support.
Cameras zoomed in on vice-chair Brady for TV coverage, presumably as commentators discuss the protests against the board.
The images very briefly appeared on the screens around the stadium.
Hammers and Palace fans unite against West Ham owners
Palace fans then relentlessly chanted in the direction of the director’s box ‘You sold your soul for this s——-‘ for several minutes.
West Ham fans hear that chant every other week.
This time it hit differently, though.
The home fans rose to their feet and applauded Palace fans in rare scenes of unity among rival supporters.
In fact West Ham supporters then started belting out their own rendition of the chant, ‘You sold our soul for this s——-‘ they told Sullivan and Brady.
It was closely followed by the first show of dissent towards the owners within the stadium, as chants of ‘Sack the board’ rang out.
This time it was the Palace fans applauding the Hammers faithful.
