'It Ain't Over Till It's Over!' - West Ham's Lifeline Extended

West Ham’s mountain to climb has grown, but is still within reaching distance… just about.

The weekend’s difficulties were met with Tottenham securing a point against Leeds, extending their gap from one point to two, placing them on 38, whilst we remain on 36 with just two Premier League fixtures to go.

A win against Newcastle and a Spurs defeat against Chelsea is the only way possible that the Hammers could be ahead coming into the final day. A point in both games against Leeds and Newcastle, presuming Spurs lose both games, would still not be enough come the final day, due to our goal difference being abysmal.

The situation remains to be what many expected, another game, another do or die for West Ham.

Newcastle away will ultimately decide West Ham’s fate - a pessimistic view would be that we could be relegated before the final day, as a loss at St. James’ Park would mean a Spurs win would relegated us as well as a draw, as the goal difference would be virtually impossible to claw back.

The Hammers haven’t had the greatest away record as of late, with Nuno’s side scoring just three goals in the last five matches and achieving just one victory.

St James’ is no fool’s location - Newcastle is known to be a tough team to play at home, and matters could be made worse as Eddie Howe is in dire need of a victory in his final home game to make sure he’s got a chance at being in the dugout for next season.

Pressure is on for both sides.

Nuno is now faced with another set of decisions to be taken before Sunday, with this game having to be the banker, the one that can’t fail. With time running out, West Ham’s woes can only go on for so long before the dreaded becomes inevitable.

Anything other than a victory against Newcastle would be viewed as a failure among fans.