West Ham's 14-year stay in the Premier League is almost over. The London club lost 3-1 at Newcastle on Sunday to stay in the relegation zone and two points from safety with one match left.
Final Match: West Ham hosts Leeds at the Olympic Stadium next Sunday in the final round.
Tottenham Could Seal West Ham's Fate
Tottenham can mathematically secure West Ham's relegation before the final round. If Spurs beat Chelsea away on Tuesday in the first of their two remaining games, the Hammers will be relegated.
A draw at Stamford Bridge would likely be enough for Tottenham, given their goal difference is far superior to West Ham's. Tottenham's second chance comes at home to Everton in the final round.
Background
West Ham has been in the top flight since 2012, coming through a number of relegation battles. This season appears beyond the team — three years after winning the Conference League title for its first major trophy since 1980.
Match Details
Newcastle scored twice in the first 19 minutes through Nick Woltemade and William Osula. Osula added a third in the 65th minute before Taty Castellanos scored a brilliant long-range consolation for West Ham. Castellanos also hit the crossbar.
Fernandes Ties Assist Record After VAR Controversy
Bruno Fernandes grabbed his record-tying 20th assist of the Premier League season as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 in an end-to-end match featuring the latest VAR controversy.
Bryan Mbeumo's 76th-minute goal proved decisive and was set up by Fernandes, who moved level with Arsenal great Thierry Henry (2002-03) and former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne (2019-20) for most assists in a single Premier League campaign.
The Portugal midfielder has one game left to set the outright record — at Brighton next weekend.
VAR Controversy
United went ahead for the second time when Matheus Cunha scored in the 55th minute after Mbeumo controlled the ball using his outstretched arm before having a shot blocked. The goal was awarded by the on-field referee, who stuck to his decision — judging the contact accidental — after the VAR recommended he look at the incident on the pitchside monitor.
United's Champions League Bid
The win guaranteed third place — and one of the Premier League's five Champions League qualification spots — for United.
It was another step in the right direction under Michael Carrick, who is widely expected to be hired as permanent manager in the coming days after a successful four-month spell in charge. This was Carrick's 11th win in 16 games at the helm, with only two losses in that period.
Luke Shaw gave United the lead in the fifth minute and Morato equalized in the 53rd. Cunha's contentious goal regained the lead for the hosts and Mbeumo made it 3-1 before Morgan Gibbs-White pulled another goal back for Forest.
It was Brazil midfielder Casemiro's final home match for United after four years with the team. He received a standing ovation when substituted in the 81st minute.
Brighton Loses in Tight Race for European Positions
In the race to qualify for European competitions, seventh-place Brighton missed the chance to jump to sixth after losing 1-0 at Leeds. The winner came from England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin in stoppage time.
Eighth-place Brentford equalized late through Dango Ouattara for his second of the match in a 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace. Brentford moved one point behind Brighton.
Sunderland is a further point back in ninth after winning 3-1 at Everton courtesy of three second-half goals.
European Qualification: The teams finishing sixth and seventh place are set to qualify for the Europa League, with eighth place going into the Conference League.
Fulham drew 1-1 at already-relegated Wolverhampton thanks to a penalty converted by U.S. left back Antonee Robinson.