Even Thierry Henry just said something very positive about Tottenham survival
Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher have weighed in on the battle for top-flight survival as Tottenham Hotspur look to capitalise on a significant shift in momentum following a vital victory at Villa Park.
Tottenham Hotspur took charge of their own destiny with a victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday evening, beating Unai Emery’s side 2-1.
It was a complete display from Roberto De Zerbi’s side, who definitely showed signs of improvement in that encounter, building on their 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
Those consecutive wins have now seen Spurs leapfrog West Ham United into 17th place with three games left to play.
Tottenham relegation verdict given by Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher
At some point, it was a four-horse battle for the sides that could be in the Championship. However, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have more or less guaranteed their own safety with victories this weekend, although mathematically they could still be relegated.
Regardless, it is fair to say that the final relegation spot is being contested by Spurs and West Ham, with Tottenham now holding a one-point advantage and a better goal difference than their London rivals.
With the season nearing its end, Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher have now given their verdict on the side most likely to go down to the Championship between Spurs and the Hammers.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Henry assessed both sides’ chances and highlighted the influence of Roberto De Zerbi. He said: “Can I say that Tottenham might stay… I do not know if I can say that.
“For West Ham, for me it would be playing against Arsenal. Are you going to do something or not. And then the way Tottenham are at home, you never know. But one thing is very important is the De Zerbi factor.
“You have to, it looks like they believe in him, they know exactly what they need to do. So the way they played at Villa looked like, for me, they might get a little, they might get the edge.”
Spurs given edge as relegation battle tightens
Jamie Carragher also weighed in on the situation, outlining what West Ham must do while pointing to Tottenham’s advantage following their win at Villa Park.
He added: “Spurs have done something out of the ordinary, as in winning away at Aston Villa. It was always going to be a tough game. We know they changed players, I get that, but West Ham are going to have to do the same.
“But when I look at it, West Ham, and I know it is very difficult and easy to say, they have just got to try and match that result.
“Now are they going to beat Arsenal, I find that very difficult to believe. So they have almost got to hope that Leeds could go there and get a point. Could they get a point at home to Arsenal? Yes. If they match Tottenham’s result, I then go to here.
“Both tough games, but you can imagine the motivation, I know Chelsea were awful today, but you can imagine the motivation inside that club and their supporters wanting to send Tottenham down.
“You can imagine that. Then you look at those two fixtures and you think, could we get a better result than Chelsea. That would be a tough game away at Chelsea. That is the only thing I can think in terms of West Ham.
“But this situation here gives Tottenham a great opportunity to sort of almost put it to bed. That is why West Ham have got to hope that they can get it to the last day.”
In matchweek 36, Tottenham take on Leeds United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while West Ham face title-chasing Arsenal at the London Stadium.
