When Tomas Soucek’s effort grazed a publish within the last levels of West Ham’s defeat at Brentford on Saturday, their supporters might have been forgiven for exchanging exasperated appears to be like.
The three-0 scoreline at Gtech Group Stadium might level to a cushty victory for Keith Andrews’ Europe-chasing facet, however it tells solely half the story.
West Ham struck the woodwork 4 occasions – a joint document within the Premier League this season – with Valentin Castellanos hitting a publish both facet of Konstantinos Mavropanos’ first-half personal objective, earlier than Crysencio Summerville slammed a robust drive in opposition to the crossbar with the rating at 3-0.
Soucek was first to the rebound however guided his effort in opposition to the surface of a publish.
Victory would have lifted West Ham 5 factors away from the underside three, however as an alternative they’ve left the door ajar for Tottenham to leapfrog them with victory at Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Hammers stay two factors above Spurs, who’ve a recreation in hand and are 9 objectives more healthy by way of objective distinction.
“We had probabilities, hit the publish twice, hit the bar and publish once more,” West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen informed Sky Sports activities. “It is actually disappointing.
“We had good alternatives. On one other day we’d have gotten the win. We have finished lots of good issues.”
Supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo informed BBC Match of the Day: “It is as much as us how we’ll react from this case.
“Let’s stick collectively. We’ve got three video games to go. It’s going to go right down to the wire.”
West Ham are three factors under in-form Nottingham Forest, after Leeds United moved 9 factors away from Spurs with a win in opposition to Burnley on Friday.
A 3-team battle for survival? It’s starting to look that means.
