West Ham have been relegated from the Premier League after Tottenham held their nerve by beating Everton to survive by two points.
The Hammers will play in the Championship during the 2026/27 season, but did give themselves a chance of survival, following a 3-0 win over Leeds United at the London Stadium.
But goals from Taty Castellanos, Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson were not enough for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, after Joao Palhinha’s strike delivered a narrow 1-0 victory for Roberto De Zerbi’s Spurs over Everton.
The win ensured Spurs ended the season on 41 points, two more than West Ham, but also with a superior goal difference. The Hammers required the Toffees to produce a win in north London to stand a chance of pulling off a famous escape.
De Zerbi stormed onto the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at full-time in celebration after a narrow escape from what was previously an unthinkable position.
But West Ham will be left to wonder how they dropped down a division with two fine players in Mateus Fernandes and Bowen combining for an excellent second goal, so much so that Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher was left surprised at how “Champions League” calibre players had not done enough to guide the Hammers to safety.
Confirmation of West Ham dropping down to the second tier of English football again, having escaped via the play-offs in 2012.
Uncertainty will now surround the squad, with a number of players, including Bowen, likely to head for the exit.
West Ham fans had directed their anger at the club’s situation, despite victory against Leeds, with the ownership, with negative songs directed at David Sullivan throughout Sunday afternoon.
In north London, however, De Zerbi will attempt to build a sustainable project after recent turmoil at Spurs.
“Yes, I confirm everything,” the Spurs boss said before this weekend, guaranteeing his presence at the top of the club moving forward. “For me, it’s still an honour to be a coach for Tottenham, even if on Sunday we play for the relegation fight, it’s not a problem.
“I consider football something more than the table, than the level of the game.”
