When Arthur Masuaku's cross somehow found its way past Edouard Mendy to sink Chelsea in that five-goal thriller back on December 4, there seemed no limit to West Ham's aspirations this season.
That result established a four-point cushion between the Hammers in fourth and Arsenal in fifth and the tantalising prospect of Champions League football under the London Stadium's bright lights was very real.
David Moyes's side had already booked their passage into the last-16 of the UEFA Europa League, smashing through their group, were set to play Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and had the FA Cup still to come.