West Ham on the brink of relegation from the Premier League after flop at Newcastle

LONDON – West Ham United coach Nuno Espirito Santo admitted that his side’s chances of staying in the English Premier League were fading fast, after their 3-1 away 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, in 18th place on 36 points, host Leeds United in their final game of the season.

Such is Spurs’ goal-difference advantage that a draw in one of their last two league games would likely seal West Ham’s fate, less than three years after the Hammers defeated Fiorentina 2-1 in the Europa Conference League final.

“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,” West Ham’s Portuguese coach told Sky Sports.

His 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 criticise 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 East Londoners.

West Ham’s only hope of survival is if they beat Leeds on the final day and Tottenham lose to Chelsea and Everton to join Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley in the Championship next season.

“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,” Nuno said. REUTERS