**The stakes remain as high as ever in this relegation battle. Time is quickly running out and three points seem a must as the Hammers welcome Everton to the London Stadium on Saturday.**
It was a goalless draw last time out for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side away at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. After the game, it felt tricky to know how to feel. On the one hand, every point gained in a relegation battle makes a difference, and it’s certainly better than having left Selhurst Park empty handed after a defeat.
That being said, a victory would’ve given the Hammers a four point cushion over rivals Spurs and firmly put the pressure on the North London side to produce a statement win in their next game and keep their own hopes of beating the drop alive. Up until recently it felt as though there were four teams still fighting to survive and avoid being one of the three relegated sides.
The landscape of this relegation battle has now completely shifted. Both Leeds and Nottingham Forest have picked up seven points from their last three Premier League games. Leeds have now hit the 40 point mark, often considered the benchmark for Premier League survival. They are now seven points in front of West Ham.
Forest have produced a real statement tonight with a dominant 5-0 win against Sunderland. With Vitor Pereira’s side having picked up 10 points from their last 12, they are now sat on 39 points, six points ahead of the Hammers.
The fight for survival now seems to be a straight shootout between West Ham and Spurs. Every game carries massive weight with so little time remaining, so it is little surprise that three points against Everton tomorrow has now become a necessity.
West Ham’s meeting with the Toffees sees the return of former Hammers boss David Moyes to the London Stadium. Everton are currently sat in 10th, with just four points separating Brighton in sixth and Sunderland in 11th. Moyes’ side are still very much in the race for a European spot.
Everton come to the London Stadium off the back of a disappointing defeat to local rivals Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
With an Everton side looking to bounce back from that defeat, and still with hopes of European qualification in mind, West Ham will certainly have their work cut out on Saturday afternoon.
The margin for error is now practically non existent. West Ham know exactly what is required of them. Tottenham travel away to face Wolves, also at 3pm tomorrow. Three points tomorrow keeps the ball in Tottenham’s court and the Hammers’ momentum very much alive.
Should the Hammers end the afternoon victorious and Tottenham slip up, then it would certainly prove to have been an enjoyable weekend.