West Ham United faced criticism aplenty after their St James’ Park capitulation last Sunday but it seems nothing compared to the flood of anger coming from one part of north London this morning.
Tottenham fans and ex-players have been vociferous in their fury at having to deal with their own failure to scrape over the line against Chelsea- and watch bitter rivals Arsenal secure the Premier League title on the same evening.
Former Spurs player Jamie O Hara was his usual, outspoken self on talkSPORT:
“We deserve to be in the Championship. You are not good enough to wear a Spurs shirt.
“I am disgusted. It is disgusting that some of these players are on the money that they are on.”
O’Hara no doubt referring to the fact that Tottenham’s wage bill is the sixth highest in the Premier League.
Former midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sky:
They are sleepwalking towards relegation. Their home form has been horrendous all season. They’ve had no quality and no character to win a football match.”
Despite just needing a point, Spurs fell to a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge meaning the relegation battle does go to the final game on Sunday with West Ham taking on Leeds and Spurs – still seeking just a draw to relegate the Hammers – entertaining David Moyes’ Everton.
Sadly Chelsea’s win against Spurs does also mean that Everton’s chances of European qualification are all but ended, meaning their own motivation to carve out a last day win could be seriously diluted. Claret and Blue supporters will have to hope that the opportunity to relegate Spurs will prove motivation enough to ensure David Moyes sends out his strongest side.
The odds still favour Spurs – just a draw will do it – but the Hammers at least have a chink of hope ahead of the Leeds game. It would be very West Ham to see Tottenham lose and fail to overcome Leeds on Sunday: If nothing else, the final day drama should boost ticket sales at London Stadium for what could well be the last sell-out crowd for the foreseeable future.
Whatever the outcome and fate which awaits the Hammers and their fans, it will place renewed urgency and focus upon Nuno’s last training sessions this week as West Ham keep their faint hopes and ‘belief’ alive.
Which is more than any of us expected on Sunday evening.