Forget ENIC, Daniel Levy, Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor – Tottenham Hotspur could be relegated simply because of the scintillating performances of one West Ham star.
Two months ago today West Ham had just lost 2-1 at home to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, cutting Nuno Espirito Santo’s side seven points adrift of safety and 12 away from bitter rivals Spurs.
At that time it would have seemed laughable that the Hammers would catch Tottenham Hotspur up, let alone make them arguably the favourites for the drop heading into the last nine games of the season.
But that is exactly what has happened, with West Ham’s Premier League revival actually being sparked by a last gasp win at Spurs.
Deeney says Tottenham’s biggest problem plays for rivals West Ham
After their 1-0 win over Fulham in midweek, West Ham pulled to within one point of 16th-placed Tottenham, who then lost 3-1 at home to Palace a day later.
While the Hammers have hit their best form for over two years, Spurs are very much the opposite.
When was the last time a West Ham player excited you so much?! 😍
Igor Tudor has a thankless task on his hands with Tottenham stuck in a downward spiral as they circle the Premier League plughole for the second season running.
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Like West Ham’s supporters, Tottenham fans have a plethora of grievances against their club over the situation they are in.
As well as the owners, interim boss Tudor is the latest in the firing line in north London.
However, Tottenham’s biggest problem is actually West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville.
That’s according to Troy Deeney, who suggests the flying Dutchman could be the reason Spurs get relegated.
Naming Summerville in his BBC Sport team of the week after a seventh goal in 10 games, Deeney said the Hammers have the man to help them dump their bitter rivals Tottenham into the Championship.
Deeney: West Ham’s flying Dutchman Summerville could send Spurs down
“It feels like week after week we are talking about this guy,” Deeney said.
“He has been fantastic for West Ham, cutting in on his right foot, and scoring goals. He might be one of West Ham’s better buys, which is interesting because people thought he was a waste of time earlier in the season.
If you think I’m talking rubbish by naming this team vs Brentford – let me know why 👇
Alternatively, feel free to let me what (if anything) I've got spot on 😂
“He has come in and is now doing really well – getting the winner at Fulham on Wednesday.
“Could he be the reason why Spurs go down?”
West Ham were enduring a nightmare season up to that defeat against Forest.
So who could have imagined this potential dream ending that is now on the cards.
The Hammers will just be ecstatic to stay up no matter how they achieve it.
But West Ham fans made it clear who they want to see drop when they chanted “Tottenham Hotspur, we’re coming for you” after the win at Fulham.
There is even a scenario where the Hammers could throw another spanner in the works for Arsenal’s title hopes in May while potentially pushing Tottenham closer to relegation in the process.
The bad news for Spurs is that Summerville has the carrot of a place in Holland’s World Cup squad dangling in front of him just to keep his focus as sharp as his footwork.
Relegation run-in remaining fixtures: