Former West Ham United defender Matt Upson believes Tottenham have left the door open for the Hammers in the relegation battle.
While West Ham remain more likely to be relegated than Tottenham with two games to play, the picture could well change relatively soon.
With only two points between the two clubs in the Premier League table, West Ham could pull themselves out of the relegation zone if they beat Newcastle on Sunday.
Oh wow 👀 How has Tottenham’s draw with Leeds made YOU feel about the relegation battle?!
This weirdly feels like a boost?
That would then put huge pressure on Spurs, who play bitter rivals Chelsea on Sunday following their 1-1 draw with Leeds on Monday.
Though Spurs are in fact further ahead than West Ham than they were before the 36th round of Premier League fixtures, Upson thinks the door is ajar for the Irons.
Upson thinks West Ham will be feeling better after Spurs drop points
Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live after Spurs were pegged back against Leeds, the former defender said: “100% a missed opportunity given the remaining fixtures.
“If you are West Ham now you are looking at it and feeling a little better. If you look at what they have got to do and what Spurs have got to do, they are in touching distance. This was an opportunity for Spurs to take it out of West Ham’s hands and they haven’t.”
The point is that West Ham have fresh hope in the relegation battle, which was profoundly lacking following the controversial defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
How do you FEEL about West Ham wanting to keep Nuno next season? 😳
Frankly, it was hard to care too much about an improved performance from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side against the Gunners in the immediate wake of the defeat, given relegation looked like a certainty.
However, that now takes on a different complexion. The way in which they responded to the Brentford defeat was broadly positive, and there’s a chance that they could yet drag Spurs back into the mire imminently.
Spurs are still masters of their own destiny but they arguably face more difficult games against Chelsea and Everton.
West Ham, meanwhile, play a Newcastle side in relative crisis before hosting Leeds at home on the final day of the season.
Clearly, a meeting with the Yorkshire giants – who really should have won at Spurs on Monday – won’t be easy. Still, one would surely much rather play a team with little to play for than an Everton side potentially still going for Europe.
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