The future is one of uncertainty and fear for West Ham with the specter of relegation becoming increasingly visible. In the penultimate round, the Hammers went to Newcastle to lose 0-2 and are closer to relegation to the Championship, which could be confirmed on Tuesday, if Tottenham beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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Nuno Espírito Santo’s men — with Mateus Fernandes in the starting lineup — arrived at St. James’ Park looking for a result that would allow them to overtake Spurs and leave the relegation zone. But the Londoners’ entry was so bad that, if you didn’t know better, you’d think they weren’t fighting over anything anymore. In the 15th minute, a poor pass from Hermansen gave the ball to Barnes, who drove and assisted Woltemade. The German only needed to pull over to open the scoring.
The nightmare began to hang over West Ham and it got worse in the 19th minute, when William Osula completed a move that aligned the speed of the Magpies’ attack with the sleepiness of the London defense.
Naturally, dissatisfied, Nuno changed his strategy after just 26 minutes of play: he dispensed with the line of three defenders, removed Todibo — who was not happy with the decision at all, refusing to greet the coach as he left — and introduced striker and regular starter Taty Castellanos. It worked. The visitors improved — although without practical success — and the Argentine even had the best opportunity of the first half at his feet, but Pope denied the goal (29′).
The good form spilled over from the first to the second half and West Ham were managing to balance the game. The attacks and chances — or rather, half chances — were divided between the two teams. But while Newcastle, freer, could afford to waste promising offensives, the Hammers revealed nervousness, lack of inspiration and even a kind of blockage that prevented them from taking effective shots.
As the minutes passed and the Londoners failed to score, hope and concentration diminished. And Newcastle took advantage. Loss of a child’s ball by the London team led to a combination between Willock and Osula, with the first offering the second a double (65′).
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