Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes West Ham may have blown their hopes of finishing inside a Champions League qualification spot.
David Moyes‘ side fell six points behind fourth-place Chelsea following a 1-0 defeat to Everton at The London Stadium – albeit now with a game in hand following the west Londoners defeat to Arsenal.
The Hammers now travel to Brighton this weekend before a trip to the Midlands to face West Brom before finishing the campaign at home against Southampton.
Despite the renewed optimism, fixture list and imminent Declan Rice return, Agbonlahor told Football Insider that the Irons may have already missed their chance.
West Ham have a chance because there’s always a chance because any team can lose any game. But I felt like the Everton game was one where they needed to grab the three points somehow. I don’t feel any blame can be put on the players because they huffed and puffed but Everton were clever with their tactics. Three big brute centre-halves just sniffing out anything for Antonio and there was no space in behind.
Albeit ‘probably a bit too late’, the ex-Aston Villa frontman went on to hail the positive impact Rice will have on his return to the side and how a Europa League finish would still represent an ‘outstanding’ campaign.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Whilst top-four did look to be a distinct possibility at various points of the season, put into perspective a top-six finish would certainly represent huge progress from last term.
Although the dream remains with three matches to go, truthfully whatever happens from this point will have been a successful season for the Irons and one that will give hope for 2021/22.
