Slaven Bilic has called on his West Ham United players to be more clinical after they twice allowed a lead to slip against Sunderland.

United would have hoped to take all three points at the Stadium of Light, but were punished for their failure to kill off the Black Cats when Fabio Borini struck late in the day.

The 2-2 draw continued a theme of dropping points from winning positions for the Hammers and Bilic is eager to kick the habit.

“We have seen this situation before and it has cost us points,” He wrote in his column on the club website.

“At Sunderland, we took the lead twice and we looked really good for the first 15 minutes and also after the second goal.

“When we are in a position in games, as we have been before, we have to finish the opposition off. We have to and we didn’t, and it cost us victory.

“You have to take advantage when you are in control and finish them off.”

Saturday’s draw was punctuated by goalkeeping errors by Darren Randolph.

Firstly the Hammers keeper was beaten directly from a corner by Wahbi Khazri, before failing to claim a long ball to gift Borini the chance to equalise.

With many United fans calling for Adrian to be recalled in the West Ham goal, Bilic was quick to defend the under fire Randolph.

“Some journalists asked me if I was going to change my goalkeeper again after Saturday’s game,” he said.

“I told them I don’t like to change goalkeepers on a game-to-game basis. Darren Randolph had been waiting for his chance for a long time, and he has done well for us.

“We have to stay behind our players, especially goalkeepers, so that’s it.”

One man who the Hammers fans - those inside the Stadium of Light at least - seem to be firmly behind is Bilic himself.

The Croatian’s future has been the subject of scrutiny, but supporters were vocal in their backing of Bilic, singing his name during the stalemate.

For Bilic’s part, he is paying little attention to the speculation over his position.

“At the end of the day, I have a contract which has another year to run, so I’m honestly not bothered,” he said.

“I’ve always been quite relaxed about my contract situation. I do my job the best I can and those things don’t bother me.”

Bilic’s most immediate concern lies with overcoming an Everton side which is unbeaten in three league matches.

The Toffees arrive at London Stadium on Saturday on the back of a 3-1 win over Burnley and sit seventh in the table.