Spurs and Arsenal results rub salt in the wound

By Dave Langton

West Ham had a real chance to climb back into the Premier League top four today.

Newcastle were in good form before the game, winning their last three in the league, but every man and his dog in claret and blue saw that team sheet and felt they were more than beatable. No Kieran Trippier, No Bruno Guimaraes, perhaps most importantly, no Allan Saint-Maximin.

However, they turned in an exceptionally steadfast performance and kept the Hammers at arm’s length for most of the game, barring that one defensive lapse that led to Craig Dawson’s headed opener.

One could make the argument that Newcastle actually created the better chances through the game. They could have won it.

At the end of the game, the Hammers are now one point behind Manchester United. But, given other results, the Irons are now level on points with Arsenal in sixth.

The Gunners beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday and they have three games in hand on the Hammers.

Spurs, by comparison, went to Manchester City, at the Etihad Stadium, and won 3-2. Harry Kane scored a 95th-minute winner.

That result means that they are now three points behind the Hammers, but also with three games in hand. It should be noted here that Spurs and Arsenal still have to play each other in one of those games.

Manchester United could also move four points clear of the Irons if they beat Leeds tomorrow.

When all of the games in hand are played, there’s a very real chance West Ham will look back on games like today’s as a huge missed opportunity – there is a very real danger of a slide down the table.

The next game is against Wolves, who are eighth. They have three games in hand too. That game is a must-win.

What a miserable day.