Relegation looming for sloppy West Ham after 3-1 defeat by Newcastle United

NEWCASTLE, England - Newcastle United forward William Osula scored twice as his side beat West Ham United 3-1 at St James’ Park on May 17 to leave the Londoners perilously close to relegation from the Premier League after another shambolic display.

With Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley already relegated, West Ham are in 18th place on 36 points, two behind Tottenham Hotspur, and Spurs could condemn them to the drop if they beat Chelsea in their penultimate league game of the season at Stamford Bridge on May 19.

Once again, West Ham were punished by their lack of precision, with inaccurate passing and wayward finishing costing them a shot at a win they desperately needed if they are to have a chance of surviving.

The tone was set in the 15th minute when the visitors gave the ball away cheaply, and Harvey Barnes crossed for Nick Woltemade to score with a deft side-footed finish, his first league goal since December.

Four minutes later they went 2-0 down as Newcastle carved them open, Osula slotting the ball through the keeper’s legs for a simple finish that left West Ham’s defenders shaking their heads.

The Hammers had two great chances to reduce the deficit on the half-hour mark, but Nick Pope pulled off two fine reaction saves to deny Taty Castellanos and Malick Diouf in quick succession.

Osula’s second goal in the 65th minute looked to have killed the game off, but Castellanos threw his side a lifeline with a stunning finish four minutes later.

Castellanos then struck the woodwork in the 78th minute and went close with a glancing header that almost caught Pope off guard six minutes later, but that was as close as they came.

West Ham now face an anxious wait to see if Chelsea can do them a favour against Spurs and give them something to play for at home to Leeds United on the final day of the season next Sunday.

“The first 20 minutes was so painful for us - we have been training all week to do one thing, and we arrive here and didn’t do it,” West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes said, adding that he and his teammates were to blame for the poor performance.

“This week, we just need to believe and do our things. It is our responsibility and we need to do much better ... since the first day it is the players who decide the games, everyone needs to take responsibility for this moment and be a man.”

West Ham United coach Nuno Espirito Santo admitted that his side’s chances of staying in the Premier League were fading fast after the 3-1 defeat by Newcastle United on May 17 left them two points adrift of the safety zone with one game left to play.

If 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur beat Chelsea on May 19, they will condemn their London rivals to the drop five days before West Ham host Leeds United in their final game of the season.

Such is Spurs’ goal difference advantage that even a draw in one of their last two league games would likely seal West Ham’s fate.

“Let’s wait on Tuesday, but we have been in these situations in recent weeks where you have chances to go and don’t take it, then we expect what is happening in other games. It is possible, but it is difficult,” the Portuguese coach told Sky Sports.

Espirito Santo’s decision to send his team out with a back three was punished almost immediately as Newcastle went 2-0 up within 19 minutes, forcing him to change tactics.

“We had a big disadvantage because we conceded two goals, but the game was not lost - we tried to react, but the way we conceded was poor. Even though we tried to react, it was not enough,” he said.

The final whistle saw West Ham fans excoriate the players.

With sports analytics company Opta giving West Ham only a 6 per cent chance of staying in the Premier League, things are looking ominous for the Londoners.

“Let’s try to finish the season with dignity and respect for the club. It is a hard week ahead of us, but we owe it to the club to try until the end,” Espirito Santo said. REUTERS