Leeds United came out on top against Nottingham Forest to remain six clear of the relegation zone, while West Ham continued their fine form too.
The Whites knew that a win on Friday night would be huge for our chances of staying in the Premier League.
Not only would it be points on the board, but also a statement against a side we’re rubbing shoulders with in Nottingham Forest.
Leeds United stay six points clear as Daniel Farke and Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham both win
For half a day, Leeds were looking at a nine-point gap over the relegation zone. That came thanks to a 3-1 home win over Forest in convincing fashion, going into a three-goal lead before the 50th minute.
Daniel Farke would not be drawn into any notion of Leeds’ result affecting the pressure for both his side and our rivals. However, it puts Leeds three points closer to the target of 38 for the campaign, which the German outlined in his pre-match press conference.
That gap of nine points was reduced back to six when West Ham travelled to a hapless Burnley and promptly cruised to a 2-0 win. Crysencio Summerville scored for the fifth game in succession, building on his Player of the Month nomination to keep the pressure on those above the relegation zone.
Elsewhere in the sub-30-point section of the table this weekend, Crystal Palace have finally ended their Premier League winless run in dispatching rivals Brighton at the AMEX with a 0-1 win. Wolves were beaten 3-1 at home by a Cole Palmer hattrick for Chelsea, while Spurs’ misery continued with Manchester United winning 2-0.
PositionClubPWDLGDPTS15Spurs25781002916Leeds United257810-92917Nott’m Forest257513-132618West Ham256514-172319Burnley253616-241520Wolves251519-328
Match of the Day’s Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy in agreement on Leeds United’s survival chances
Unfortunately, Match of the Day’s pundits on Saturday night were again unable to speak in any great detail about what Leeds did well to claim our seventh win of the campaign.
Instead, their post-Leeds analysis was a general view of the relegation scrap. Although, the views of both Danny Murphy and Alan Shearer were positive where Leeds are concerned. Neither could agree on who they think will drop though, but thankfully, neither said Leeds.
“Me and Al were just talking, it’s very difficult to predict,” Murphy began. “Out of all the five teams up to Tottenham in the relegation battle, West Ham are in the best form and Palace are in the worst form. I think it could go right to the wire.”
“Surely Tottenham can’t be pulled into a relegation battle?” Shearer added. “They’re going to have to start winning games and sharpish. West Ham I still think, just. I can hear the West Ham fans screaming at me now.”
“I think confidence is a massive thing down there,” Murphy continued. “West Ham are now looking up, everyone’s buzzing at training. Whereas, the other teams aren’t winning any games, training’s harder every day, confidence is dropping. I’ve got a feeling with Forest’s European tilt, that might hamper them a little bit.”
“Leeds will be alright I think, because of the home form. Really strong at home,” Shearer finished.
Who is going to get relegated from the Premier League?
Even though we’re on course for safety with 29 points so far and 13 games left to play, it’s so hard to call.
We thankfully have very favourable fixtures remaining compared to the teams around us, meaning we should be very confident.
West Ham have picked up form at the right time, though, and it really throws the cat amongst the pigeons for the sides above them, including us.
Do not discount Spurs from this race. The fans are fearing the worst and they are currently playing like a side that could very easily get relegated this season.
The notion that you can be “too good to go down” could be proven badly wrong this season.
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