{"id":2035,"date":"2026-04-29T06:13:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T06:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=2035"},"modified":"2026-04-29T06:13:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T06:13:49","slug":"west-ham-can-relegate-tottenham-before-they-even-play-leeds-on-final-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=2035","title":{"rendered":"West Ham can relegate Tottenham before they even play Leeds on final day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-314029\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hammers.news\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Nothing will be decided at the bottom of the Premier League table this weekend; not for West Ham United nor Tottenham Hotspur.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>But with only three matchdays remaining following the Hammers\u2019 trip to Brentford, a victory at the home of London neighbour \u2013 coupled with a Spurs loss on Sunday \u2013 will put salvation within Nuno Espirito Santo\u2019s grasp. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>If Monday\u2019s Old Trafford clash proved anything, it is that Brentford are hardly \u2018on the beach\u2019. Keith Andrews has put spades and sandcastles at the back of Bees minds. Despite failing to win any of their last six top-flight matches, European qualification is still very much on the cards. <\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"61fb9d2e-6079-4c6d-8f59-801bf574bd90\" data-story-name=\"West Ham v Brentford\" data-comment-id=\"8107cbf6-4ac2-4166-80ec-3455d44425b3\" data-story-slug=\"west-ham-v-brentford\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Tell us your Brentford demands and score predictions!<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/West-Ham-v-Brentford-results-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen is congratulated after scoring his side's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between West Ham United and Brentford on March 9, 2026 in London, England.\" class=\"wp-image-314012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/West-Ham-v-Brentford-results-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/West-Ham-v-Brentford-results-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/West-Ham-v-Brentford-results-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/West-Ham-v-Brentford-results-912x1140.jpg 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/West-Ham-v-Brentford-results-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/West-Ham-v-Brentford-results.jpg 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Brentford were also the better side for long spells against Michael Carrick\u2019s Champions League-bound Red Devils.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, if you offered West Ham United the choice of a trip to Brentford or a visit to Villa Park, one suspects very few would set about researching the Birmingham branches of Premier Inn. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-west-ham-united-can-their-premier-league-fate-in-their-own-hands\">West Ham United can their Premier League fate in their own hands<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2273084417-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"West Ham United players celebrate after Tomas Soucek scores against Everton.\" class=\"wp-image-313337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2273084417-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2273084417-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2273084417-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2273084417-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2273084417-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2273084417-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Tomas Soucek of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at London Stadium on April 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Speaking to <strong>Hammers News <\/strong>shortly after Callum Wilson scored a stoppage-time winner against Everton, a spokesman for the board indicated that Aston Villa vs Tottenham this weekend is viewed as a key moment in the relegation battle.  <\/p>\n<p>If West Ham beat Brentford and Spurs lose away at a team with no shortage of motivation \u2013 a win will almost guarantee Champions League football in 2026\/27 \u2013 then the job will be scarily close to completion.<\/p>\n<p>A West Ham win will at the Gtech Community Stadium would take Nuno\u2019s team on to 39 points. <\/p>\n<p>If Villa beat Tottenham \u2013 as they really should, considering the massive gulf in quality between both sides \u2013 the Hammers will go into the final three matchdays five points ahead of 17th.<\/p>\n<p>Villa have won each of their last four meetings with the reigning Europa League champions. A good omen, certainly.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tottenham-hotspur-face-tricky-trips-to-aston-villa-and-chelsea\">Tottenham Hotspur face tricky trips to Aston Villa and Chelsea <\/h2>\n<p>If Tottenham lose, the maximum amount of points they could get is 43. A win for West Ham at Brentford, coupled with a Spurs defeat, would mean Nuno needs only five points from a possible nine in order to post a tally Tottenham could not overtake.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"019ded48-e9b0-4f65-8241-276d43fe6d3f\" data-story-name=\"Relegation battle\" data-comment-id=\"69f0fcbf-6861-4000-a33c-690305302f08\" data-story-slug=\"relegation-battle\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">How will the Premier League table look when it\u2019s all said and done? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">West Ham are in a precarious position with 4 games to go! \ud83d\ude2c<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/league-table-2-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Tomas Soucek and Callum Wilson of West Ham United celebrate victory following the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at London Stadium\" class=\"wp-image-313561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/league-table-2-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/league-table-2-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/league-table-2-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/league-table-2-912x1140.jpg 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/league-table-2-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/league-table-2.jpg 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Tomas Soucek and Callum Wilson of West Ham United celebrate victory following the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at London Stadium on April 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Spurs, lest we forget, still have to face bitter rivals Chelsea. How <em>they <\/em>would love to seal Spurs\u2019 fate.<\/p>\n<p>If both Villa <em>and <\/em>Chelsea defeat Roberto de Zerbi\u2019s side, West Ham would need only two points from the final nine available. <\/p>\n<p>Should all go to plan, the Hammers\u2019 survival could be all-but sealed away to Newcastle on May 17th; on the penultimate weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Permutations, hey.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was a must-win (against Everton) and to do it in the last minute was brilliant but nerve-wracking, especially with Spurs scoring late at Wolves,\u201d the top senior spokesman for West Ham\u2019s owners exclusively told <strong>Hammers News<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut we hope Aston Villa are not distracted by Europe (a semi-final Europa League tie with Nottingham Forest sandwiches that Tottenham clash).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne club might need a record number of points to stay up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>West Ham, of course, made history in the worst possible manner when they suffered relegation with 42 points in 2002\/03. The Hammers had Joe Cole, David James and Paolo di Canio in their ranks at the time, while posting a tally which remains the highest of any relegated team in Premier League history.<\/p>\n<p>Wouldn\u2019t it be so very <em>\u2018Spursy\u2019<\/em> if a similar tally consigned Tottenham to the drop \u2013 while saving West Ham\u2019s skin \u2013 a quarter-of-a-century later.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.hammers.news\/news\/explained-west-ham-can-relegate-tottenham-before-they-even-play-leeds-on-final-day\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-YXV2JYYXJC');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-YXV2JYYXJC\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"hammers.news\/9EBwb0\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','1190605555050698');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Explained: West Ham can relegate Tottenham before they even play Leeds on final day',content_category:'News',content_ids:(314029,\"nuno-espirito-santo\",\"premier-league\",\"roberto-de-zerbi\",\"tottenham-hotspur\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Nothing will be decided at the bottom of the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2036,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2035","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2035"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2035\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}