---
title: "Gabby Agbonlahor believes top-four could now be beyond West Ham"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/05/13/gabby-agbonlahor-believes-top-four-could-now-be-beyond-west-ham/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-05-13T07:05:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-13T07:05:00Z"
---

# Gabby Agbonlahor believes top-four could now be beyond West Ham

Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/05/12/virals-west-ham-weigh-up-double-manchester-united-summer-swoop/) may have blown their hopes of finishing inside a Champions League qualification spot.

[David Moyes](https://readwestham.com/2021/05/09/pundit-reactions-tony-cottee-hails-david-moyes-for-fantastic-season/)‘ side fell [six points behind](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) fourth-place Chelsea following a [1-0 defeat to Everton](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56960425) 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](https://www.skysports.com/west-ham-united-fixtures) 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](https://www.footballinsider247.com/agbonlahor-west-ham-top-four-hopes-all-but-over-after-critical-rice-update/) 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](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) 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](https://talksport.com/football/734041/west-ham-all-but-secure-survival-win-watford/) from last term.

Although the dream remains with three matches to go, truthfully whatever happens from this point will have been a [successful season](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/march/07-march/david-moyes-transformation-year-ago-now-great) for the Irons and one that will give hope for 2021/22.