There are mixed emotions for West Ham this evening but the club has been given new hope as the net closes in on relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and Spurs.
The Hammers were left kicking themselves when they could only muster a 0-0 draw at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.
West Ham knew a win would draw them level on points with Nottingham Forest in the safety of 17th place and to within two points of bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
With Forest playing Liverpool and Spurs facing Arsenal, a West Ham win over the Cherries would have piled the pressure on in the relegation dogfight as it enters the final 11 games.
After a run of fine form, though, West Ham were not really at the races when it mattered most as they managed to get just three shots on target from 20 attempts.
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There was no hiding the disappointment from the manager, players and fans after the game.
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Craig Dawson of West Ham United celebrates scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on February 19, 2022 in London, England. Axel Disasi of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham United at Turf Moor on February 07, 2026 in Burnley, England.
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West Ham’s owners were more philosophical about the result on Sunday morning.
But Hammers eyes turned to Forest’s clash with Liverpool and Tottenham’s north London derby against title favourites Arsenal.
And it is fair to say there will be mixed emotions in West Ham circles after a weekend many marked down as a crossroads for the club’s hopes of Premier League survival.
Jarrod Bowen blazes a golden West Ham chance over the bar against Bournemouth
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Frustrated West Ham have been given new hope as the net closes in on Nottingham Forest and Spurs.
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in” is the famous line spoken by Michael Corleone – played by Al Pacino – in the 1990 film The Godfather III.
Well that is very apt for West Ham United given how Sunday unfolded.
Jarrod Bowen was asked whether he would be watching Forest and Tottenham in action on Sunday with West Ham’s survival hopes directly impacted by the outcomes.
The Hammers were fearing the worst as Liverpool survived a Nottingham Forest onslaught in the first half at the City Ground.
West Ham get new hope as net closes on Forest and Spurs
Forest were then denied what looked a strong shout for a penalty too.
West Ham fans were celebrating when Liverpool ace Alexis Mac Allister scored a fortuitous late goal at the death to ensure Nuno Espirito Santo’s side gained ground on his old club.
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Carlos Tevez of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premiership match between Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United at Ewood Park on March 17, 2007 in Blackburn, England.
But VAR intervened to rule it out, keeping the gap at three points.
The stars aligned for the Irons in the last kick of the game, though, when Mac Allister scored again. Another VAR check for offside looked set to rule that out too with the only available camera angle not providing a clear picture.
VAR reverted to the semi-automated offside call and – to West Ham’s relief – the goal was awarded as the Reds beat Nottingham Forest 1-0.
Eberechi Eze (L) celebrates Arsenal's win over Spurs with former West Ham star Declan Rice
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
That means West Ham now have the carrot of climbing out of the relegation zone for the first time since November – and only the third time all season – with an unlikely win at Anfield next Saturday.
Forest are then in action away at Brighton on the Sunday.
There will be undeniable frustration at the failure to beat Bournemouth because West Ham would be level on 27 points with Forest right now.
And the Hammers would be breathing down Tottenham’s necks too after they were smashed 4-1 by Arsenal for the second time this season.
West Ham will climb out of drop zone with Liverpool win
Former Hammers captain Declan Rice helped do his old club a huge favour by playing his part in a dominant win over Tottenham – although he did make a big error which led to Spurs’ equaliser at 1-1.
With Igor Tudor’s side at in-form Fulham next, West Ham can pull to within a point of Tottenham with a shock victory over Liverpool.
With Leeds above them on 31 points it now looks like being one from four for the final relegation place between the Elland Road outfit, West Ham, Spurs and Forest.
The failure to beat the Cherries could have been haunting the Hammers this evening.
Instead, West Ham are still right in the mix with genuine hope of pulling off a new great escape.
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