We’re not going there to take pictures – Hughes on West Ham trip

First half, we were flat, simply not good: not in the second ball, not when we had the ball, not when they had the ball.

With so much attention having being focused elsewhere, there seemed a genuine relief to all connected with east Londoners that they could concentrate on the ninety-minutes in hand.

In a first half nearly completely devoid of goalmouth action, West Ham came closest as Angelo Ogbonna’s header from Payet’s corner was well saved by Lee Grant, before Payet came close with a free kick on the stroke of halftime.

When Michael Antonio steered the ball into the goal courtesy off a Stoke defender West Ham were relieved to break the dead lock. He managed 62 minutes before being replaced by Ashley Fletcher.

The Senegal global front man has not played a single game all season, but his return to full training suggested that he may play a part against the Potters.

Four of these had fewer than three strikes, as has been the case for four of Stoke’s five road games this season.

Yet West Ham’s lead lasted only 10 minutes as Hughes matched Bilic with a slick substitution of his own.

The manager removed the largely-anonymous Manuel Lanzini and Andre Ayew, replacing them with Ashley Fletcher and Edimilson Fernandes, and a goal nearly instantly followed.

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic wants to tighten up an error-prone defence, which has contributed to his team slipping to fourth-bottom of the Premier League. He failed in his mission. Unfortunately for West Ham fans, the big target man has been plagued with injuries that have curtailed his West Ham career.

In the context of their recent improved results and the fact they next face Tottenham before two further fixtures with Manchester United and then Arsenal and Liverpool a draw appeared damaging. West Ham will do well not to be in the bottom three at the end of that sequence. Presumably because it’s easier than to keep making the long walk back to the dug-out.

The Italian rose highest to powerfully header at goal from six yards but couldn’t beat Lee Grant who reacted superbly to spring to his right and beat the effort away.

Perhaps inspired by his opposite number, Mark Hughes then removed Wilfried Bony and Whelan for Peter Crouch and Bojan, and Stoke similarly responded by drawing level four minutes later.

Lanzini looks a luxury player at the moment and Mark Noble is being exposed in the middle without any help.

Subs not used: Randolph, Nordtviet, Zaza, Calleri.