West Ham United’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday night has already had consequences.
Not only does the result of West Ham 0-0 Crystal Palace relegate Wolves, it also leaves the door ajar for Tottenham in the relegation battle.
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Billed in some circles as the game that could seal Tottenham’s fate, it never really got going at Selhurst Park.
As ever, Hammers News are picking through debris, so here are five things we learned.
Big players fail to show up for Nuno
There wasn’t much energy or verve to how the Irons played.
Pablo Felipe and Jarrod Bowen both laboured in attacking positions, while Crysencio Summerville does not look fully fit just yet.
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The Hammers stayed two points clear of Spurs…
El Hadji Malick Diouf was also far too wasteful on the ball.
What is concerning this observer is that while it wasn’t a poor performance collectively, the individuals did not step up.
Two steps back for Pablo Felipe
Speaking of Pablo, this was another difficult game for him.
The January signing shrugged off a poor outing against Leeds in the FA Cup to star against Wolves last time out.
This was a reminder that his progress is not linear, however. Pablo was energetic but clumsy at times and did not do anywhere near enough on the ball.
Tottenham have reason to dream again
It’s important not to be too negative but the fact Tottenham could overtake West Ham in the table on Saturday evening is a major concern.
This was a chance for West Ham to put more daylight between themselves and their north London rivals and they could not do that.
If Spurs beat Wolves and West Ham lose to Everton – both of which are distinct possibilities – it’s back to the relegation zone we go.
Nuno relegates Wolves!
Nuno is a Wolves legend but the fact his West Ham side claimed a point at Selhurst Park was enough to see them relegated.
There has been a remarkable turnaround in form since the Molineux club thrashed Nuno’s West Ham in early January.
Obviously, everyone knows the fate that has been awaiting Wolves for months now, but it is a cruel irony that Nuno of all people has played a huge part in actually sealing the deal.
Kyle Walker-Peters winning Aaron Wan-Bisska battle
For the second game in a row, Kyle Walker-Peters has started ahead of a presumably fully fit Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
For so long, Wan-Bissaka seemed like a guaranteed starter but his replacement is showing little reason to be dropped right now.
The former Southampton defender put in some very nice crosses that troubled Palace at times, and has claimed a place in the starting XI at crunch time.
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