How many points West Ham need to finish above Spurs, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United - according to Optaplaceholder image
How many points West Ham need to finish above Spurs, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United - according to Opta | Getty Images
West Ham conceded a cruel 96th minute equaliser as they drew 1-1 with Manchester United on Tuesday night
West Ham United were moments away from giving themselves a huge boost in the Premier League relegation battle but they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Tuesday night.
The Hammers took a 1-0 lead through Tomas Soucek in the 50th minute and despite the Red Devils ending the game with 65 per cent possession, they were unable to fashion any genuine chances against a resolute Irons defence.
Casemiro did see a goal ruled out for offside and it then took a brilliant finish from Benjamin Sesko in the 96th minute to breach the West Ham goal, as the result puts the Hammers two points behind Nottingham Forest.
Forest face Wolves on Wednesday night but Tottenham Hotspur are now just five points above their London rivals after losing 2-1 to Newcastle United at home. Leeds United are six points clear of the bottom three after they came from 2-0 down to draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Following the draw with the Red Devils, Nuno reflected: "Disappointed, all of us are to get this in the end. We had a good game, the boys worked hard but today it was not to be.
"It is a draw that gives us sadness but the way we competed today was really good.
"It is a mix of everything - the need that we have and the work from the boys today deserved so much more.
"We should be proud and this is the way, we must compete in every game like this.
"We should keep the standards, I said that to the boys and their faces are of a job well done. They hurt and it is painful.
"You look back to the game and it is always the final moments that you think you almost got across the line but then get a big punch in the stomach. It is painful."
How many points West Ham need to finish above Spurs, Leeds and Nottingham Forest - according to Opta
West Ham could be five points from safety if Forest beat Wolves in their next game. It will leave a tough challenge for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side to overhaul that deficit but their recent upturn in form has provided hope they can remain in the Premier League.
Forest are predicted to end the campaign on around 42 points with Leeds on 44 and Spurs on 45. It means that West Ham would need 46 points to finish above all three of their relegation rivals but 43 would be enough to put them above Forest and secure safety.
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