The Christmas period began well for West Ham with a 2-0 win over Leicester, though the writing did seem on the wall.

West Ham took their chances well, but the away team could have come away with some of the spoils given better finishing. Notably, home keeper Adrian was man-of-the-match with three great saves.

Next up Chelsea. For some unknown reason, Sam Allardyce (pictured) decided to rotate selection, leaving Alex Song and Diafro Sakho on the sideline until the second half. This handed the initiative to Chelsea who took control of the game. A 2-0 reversal was the predictable result.

Then came Arsenal, an excellent game which West Ham should have gained at least point from rather than the 2-1 reversal. And finally there was a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion.

In the background, there were some rumblings with a rather public falling out between Mauro Zarate and the manager.

The Argentinian player, who scored twice and showed some excellent promise during the limited appearances he was allowed, was sent out on loan to QPR.

He was clearly disillusioned, rather stupidly suggesting that Allardyce was not picking him because it was co-owner David Sullivan who signed him.

This brought the response from the manager that he was not good enough.

The spat, while on the face of it the outburst of a disappointed player, did also remind fans that below the surface there are some tensions.

The question of style could also resurface, with a recent analysis on Match of the Day revealing that there had not been a notable drop in the number of long balls being pumped in by West Ham this season.

A key difference though seems to be the role of Andy Carroll in the this context.

West Ham do play a more direct game when the former Liverpool forward is playing, compared with when the Enner Valencia/Sakho partnership is in operation. Allardyce has asserted that the different strikers offer more options — a correct analysis but one likely to cut little ice if results start to turn.

Allardyce is riding high at the moment but must be well aware that he needs to be winning virtually all the time to keep some people happy at the club.

So entering the new year, things are looking good for the Hammers but there may well still be some choppy waters ahead before the end of the season — with expectations so heightened by the excellent form up to Christmas — Allardyce is now likely to be judged against the ever higher standards his team have been achieving.