- West Ham face Leeds United on Sunday 4PM BST
- The Hammers require results elsewhere to stave off relegation
- Relegation rival Tottenham Hotspur face Everton
Ahead of West Ham’s pivotal match against Leeds United, former striker Tony Cottee has issued a stark warning, insinuating that there can be no excuses if the Hammers are unable to maintain their Premier League status by the end of the weekend.
As the season draws to a close, West Ham are aware that their victory over Leeds might not be enough to stave off relegation; other outcomes must also go their way. With Tottenham Hotspur two points ahead in the fight for survival, anxiety is high in east London ahead of what will be one of the most compelling afternoons in the club’s recent history.
Spurs face former Hammers boss David Moyes’ Everton at 4PM BST, and if they avoid defeat, they will be practically safe whilst condemning West Ham to their first relegation since the 2010-11 season.
Tony Cottee highlights that potential West Ham relegation will be because of season performance and not just Sunday’s outcome
Cottee, who made 212 appearances for West Ham, scoring 92 goals during his six-year stay, stated his personal ‘dread’ ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Hammers, facing the unnerving prospect of going from European champions to a Championship club in three years.
“Well here we are,” Cottee wrote on his X account. “Dreading today but we MUST win and then go through the emotions together!
“All I can say is you get relegated because of the 38 games and not [just] today.
“I so hope we can send Spurs down but I’m not doing a prediction, as they’ve not been good all season! COYI!”
The Hammers have spent much of the season around the bottom of the standings, despite sporadic hints of improvement under manager Nuno Espirito Santo. However, the club have lost their last three Premier League games, leaving them relying on a final-day miracle.
Leeds, however, come to the London Stadium in good shape on the wave of an outstanding undefeated streak that has helped guarantee their own survival. Daniel Farke’s side has already frustrated numerous relegation opponents this season, and they will put West Ham to the test again after knocking them out of the FA Cup quarter-finals last month.
