West Ham enjoyed a rare highlight in their dismal season with a 2-0 win at Manchester United but it seems both clubs had their minds on Spurs.
West Ham, Tottenham and Man United have all been as bad as one another in the Premier League season.
One look at the table provides all the evidence needed that the Hammers, Spurs and Red Devils are among the biggest underachievers in all of Europe’s top leagues.
There is no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.
That’s why Hammers fans booed their team off for failing to beat a Spurs second string in their 1-1 draw last weekend.
West Ham saved some face by climbing above Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
West Ham save face but Man United and Spurs have bigger priority
Goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen sealed the club’s first league victory away at Man United for 18 years.
There is no hiding the fact West Ham’s last two opponents both have bigger fish to fry right now.
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That was evident in the team selections of Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and Man United manager Ruben Amorim – who both made sweeping changes for their matches against the Irons.
The Europa League final looms large on the horizon for Man United and Tottenham in 10 days’ time.
West Ham made it to Europa League semi and quarter-finals either side of winning the Europa Conference League during a memorable three years in UEFA competition.
This year the Hammers have had a watching brief, though.
At one stage West Ham faced the prospect of seeing Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea win European trophies.
But while the Gunners were dumped out by PSG, the threat of Tottenham and Chelsea diminishing West Ham’s Conference League achievement of two years ago is now very real indeed.
And with little to play for in the league, the Europa League was on the minds of Hammers supporters as much as it was Amorim and Red Devils stars at Old Trafford.
West Ham fans aimed a new chant at Man United manager Amorim and his players about Spurs.
West Ham fans aimed new chant at Man United about Spurs
After succeeding where West Ham failed in the same competition three years ago and beating Eintracht Frankfurt over two legs, Tottenham cruised past Bodo-Glimt in the semi-final.
That set up an all-Premier League finale against Manchester United – who saw off Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate.
There has been much debate about whether Tottenham or Man United deserve a place in the Champions League for winning the Europa League, given they are the worst two teams in the top flight outside the relegated clubs.
But for West Ham it is the triple prospect of Tottenham ending their long trophy drought while bettering their own recent achievement while also qualifying for the Champions League which is giving those in claret and blue sleepless nights.
Being a more prestigious competition than the Conference League West Ham won nearly two years ago, it would take away the Hammers’ bragging rights over Spurs.
Indeed, West Ham fans’ chant – ‘We’ll be running around Tottenham with our European cup singing I’ve got a trophy haven’t you’- would be rendered redundant overnight if Spurs see off the Red Devils.
Man United were worryingly poor against the Hammers.
But the travelling Hammers faithful let Amorim and his stars know that game didn’t matter one bit as long as they succeed when it matters most.
West Ham fans, famed for their wit, had a new song – containing some choice language – at Old Trafford.
Hammers make Man United’s Spurs mission clear
And they chanted it relentlessly at Man United: “If you beat Spurs, you’re not all c—-” West Ham supporters belted out over and over during and after their 2-0 win.
It was clear for all to hear in the ground and on TV highlights.
Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst also picked up on the chant, posting about it on X.
As far as West Ham fans are concerned, Man United’s mission is clear.
Stop Tottenham taking away their glory, glory Man United in Bilbao on May 21st.
For them, the alternative does not bear thinking about.
Amorim had talks about becoming West Ham manager this time last year.
In the end the Hammers admitted it was too expensive for them.
But supporters will be hoping it was his destiny to save them from Spurs.