West Ham United loans and pathways manager Carlton Cole was left almost speechless as relegation rivals Nottingham Forest smashed Sunderland on Friday night.
With Wolves and Burnley now relegated, it seems like West Ham United are in almost a relegation play-off with Tottenham to avoid joining them in the Championship next season.
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While the bottom of the Premier League table was once tight, Leeds have now hit the magical 40-point mark, while Forest’s 5-0 thumping of Sunderland sees them sit just one point behind.
Indeed, West Ham and Spurs are now locked in a relegation battle, and Cole wasn’t delighted about it.
Cole stunned by huge Forest win
Cole was asked about the result and what it means for his beloved West Ham by talkSPORT co-host Adam Catterall.
A visibly deflated Cole shook his head and said: “Yeah, they were good. That’s it. That’s all I’ve got for you. Do you know what? Why are all these teams trying to wake up now?
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“Why have you left this 4-0 [5-0] drubbing to the end of the season when you don’t need to do it? When we need you not to do it?!”
Any positive result for Forest at the Stadium of Light would have put even more pressure on both West Ham and Spurs.
The sheer size of it, however, would suggest that relegation fears are now a thing of the past for Forest.
Not only are they all but certain to get over 40 points now, they have recorded a statement victory over one of the Premier League’s best teams when playing at home.
The big implications Nottingham Forest’s win has on West Ham
The results that Forest and Leeds have managed to pull off in recent weeks leave West Ham and Spurs cut adrift.
The Hammers are now six points behind Forest – although they do have a game in hand – and sit seven behind Leeds.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 16 |  Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 39 |
| 17 |  West HamWest Ham | 33 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 40 | 57 | -17 | 33 |
| 18 |  TottenhamTottenham | 33 | 7 | 10 | 16 | 42 | 53 | -11 | 31 |
Indeed, West Ham are now under pressure to beat Everton on Saturday, particularly given Spurs face what many would consider a more favourable game away at relegated Wolves.
Teams are pulling away in the relegation battle, leaving a straight shootout between West Ham and their London rivals.
What a dramatic end to the season.
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