In the unforgiving world of football management, where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye, it's hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for Graham Potter. The weight of expectation, the pressure from fans, and the constant scrutiny from the media can be overwhelming. After a series of disappointing results, including a third consecutive home defeat, one might understand if Potter contemplated throwing in the towel.

The recent match against Crystal Palace served as another painful chapter in West Ham's struggles. Despite moments of promise, the team ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, with Tyrick Mitchell emerging as the unlikely hero for the visitors.

The game began with Crystal Palace drawing first blood, courtesy of Jean-Philippe Mateta. However, West Ham responded valiantly in the second half, with Jarrod Bowen heading in a crucial equaliser.

Yet, the joy was short-lived as Crystal Palace soon regained the lead, plunging West Ham and their manager, Graham Potter, into deeper despair. The pressure on Potter is now immense, with each passing game amplifying the scrutiny and criticism.

It's not for lack of trying. Potter has undoubtedly poured his heart and soul into the job, tirelessly working to turn things around. However, the results on the pitch have been underwhelming, with few tangible signs of progress.

The contrast with Crystal Palace's recent form only exacerbates West Ham's woes. Palace, buoyed by an impressive unbeaten run stretching to 17 games, celebrated their victory with gusto, further fueling the frustration of the home support.

Before the match, the atmosphere outside the London Stadium was charged with discontent. Over a thousand fans gathered to voice their displeasure, demanding that owner David Sullivan take decisive action. The fans' message was clear: they were losing patience.

After Crystal Palace's second goal, which followed Bowen's earlier equaliser, the stadium erupted in a chorus of boos directed at Graham Potter. Chants of "you don't know what you're doing" and "sacked in the morning" echoed through the stands, a stark illustration of the fans' disillusionment.

In a desperate attempt to inject some momentum into the team, Potter made a change in goal, hoping to spark a turnaround. But the substitution, like many other attempts to shake things up, had little impact.

Despite the tactical tweaks and the hard work on the training ground, West Ham's luck simply refused to change. Even after supposedly dedicating the week to practicing defending corners, they still fell victim to Palace's set-piece prowess.

Crystal Palace's dominance from corners was evident throughout the first half. They earned a remarkable eight corners, and it was from the seventh that they finally broke the deadlock. Daichi Kamada's delivery found Marc Guehi, whose header struck the bar, only for Jean-Philippe Mateta to pounce on the rebound and nod it home.

In the first half, Crystal Palace didn't need to be at their absolute best to cause West Ham problems. West Ham, on the other hand, struggled to create meaningful chances, their attacks appearing more opportunistic than orchestrated.

However, the second half saw a shift in West Ham's approach. They emerged with renewed purpose, determined to claw their way back into the game. The team managed to capitalise on a corner of their own, with summer signing Malick Diouf delivering a dangerous ball that Bowen glanced into the far corner.

Bowen has been a beacon of consistency for West Ham throughout their recent struggles. His determination and leadership were evident as he desperately tried to rally his teammates and salvage something from the match.

Bowen continued to be a driving force, creating opportunities and testing the Crystal Palace defence. He drew a near-post save from Dean Henderson after a clever one-two with Lucas Paqueta, whose backheel set up the shot.

Bowen's efforts ignited the London Stadium, which had been subdued for much of the first half. The crowd found their voice, sensing that a comeback might be possible.

Bowen once again found space behind the Crystal Palace defence and delivered a cross for Paqueta, whose header was cleared off the line. Shortly after, Henderson was called into action again to save a low shot.

Just when it seemed like West Ham were gaining momentum, Crystal Palace struck a decisive blow. Mitchell unleashed a superb strike that left the home fans stunned.

Crystal Palace, after spending much of the second half defending, launched an attack down the right. A series of passes involving Richards, Munoz, and Wharton culminated in Mitchell's stunning goal.

The goal sparked a wave of anger and frustration among the West Ham supporters. The apathy that had previously filled the stadium was replaced by open criticism of Potter.

The West Ham board now faces a period of intense deliberation, contemplating the future of the manager. They are known for their reluctance to make hasty decisions, but the mounting pressure and the lack of progress on the pitch leave them with a difficult choice.

Whether their loyalty to Potter will ultimately pay off remains to be seen. At the moment, the signs are not encouraging. The club must carefully consider all options as they seek a path towards a brighter future.