Sutton's predictions: Newcastle United v West Hampublished at 11:02 BST 17 May
11:02 BST 17 May
I don't feel sorry for West Ham after their defeat by Arsenal last week.
It was a foul on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya for their goal which was disallowed, and the fact they are in the relegation zone is because of the way they have played all season.
Now this is an enormous game for the Hammers, and it is an absolutely 'must-win' for them.
Newcastle were very poor when they lost at London Stadium in November and you wouldn't say they are in much better form at the moment.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe realises the importance of finishing the season strongly for his own future, and I don't see his side losing this.
West Ham will be absolutely desperate to get the win, but I am going for a draw and, if anyone does win it, it will be Newcastle.
Newcastle United v West Ham United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:18 BST 16 May
12:18 BST 16 May
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (17:30 GMT), with West Ham needing a win to move out of the relegation zone.
Newcastle's draw at Nottingham Forest last weekend followed a frustratingly familiar script. Harvey Barnes' 74th-minute strike put them ahead at the City Ground but former Magpie Elliot Anderson equalised with just two minutes remaining.
Eddie Howe's team have now dropped 27 points from winning positions this term, at least seven more than any other Premier League side, while their total of 20 goals conceded from the 75th minute onwards is also the highest figure in the top flight.
Magpies' mediocre home form
This is Newcastle's final home game of the season and it appears increasingly doubtful the Toon Army will see reported Bayern Munich target Anthony Gordon in a black and white shirt again. Howe admitted on Friday that the winger is not being picked "with a partial view to the future".
The head coach also stressed it is important Newcastle "finish the season with a positive feeling". Strong home form has been the foundation of the Magpies' improvement under Howe but there has been a noticeable drop-off in the current campaign.
They are averaging 1.61 points per game at St James' Park, comfortably lower than in any of his previous full seasons in charge, losing seven times. The last time they lost as many as eight league matches at St James' Park was in 2020-21, under Steve Bruce.
Wasteful finishing hurting Hammers
West Ham felt aggrieved that VAR denied them an equaliser in Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal, with the Hammers finishing empty handed in a game they could conceivably have won. Mateus Fernandes missed a golden chance to put his side ahead in the 78th minute, with his close-range shot saved by David Raya.
As a result, they trail relegation rivals Tottenham by two points with two games remaining. But with Spurs' match against Chelsea not until Tuesday, Nuno Espirito Santo's side can move out of the relegation zone – and pile pressure on their London rivals – with a win on Tyneside.
The Hammers' form has picked up notably in the second half of the season but they continue to find goals hard to come by, failing to score in four of their previous six league games.
That includes each of their past three away matches, during which they have attempted 31 shots, hitting the woodwork four times.
The last time West Ham failed to score in four consecutive away league fixtures was 11 years ago. Coincidentally, the fourth game in that streak was a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle in May 2015.
The Hammers have to win to guarantee their fate is settled on the final day. Otherwise a midweek victory for Spurs would end their 14-year stay in the top flight.
Nuno on team news, VAR and being 'ready' for Newcastlepublished at 14:35 BST 15 May
14:35 BST 15 May
Grace Wheeler BBC Sport journalist
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Newcastle United at St James' Park (kick-off 17:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "We have Adama [Traore] out for the game but the rest of the squad is good. He has a muscle injury - he is recovering but he was not available for Arsenal and he'll miss this one."
Asked if Callum Wilson will be given more game time, Nuno said he will "decide tomorrow, for the team".
On the Hammers' penultimate game this season: "Every game is a new game. I believe you keep your approach and the values are the same from the first round to the last round. Everything is going to be decided by the two rounds. If I give a rousing speech in the first round, I will give it in the last round as well. It will be the same."
On the mental aspect of Sunday's game: "We knew some while ago that it [the relegation battle] will be decided now [in the last games]. Our job is to focus and prepare our players and get them ready for Sunday. That is our priority. We are ready, we are positive and we believe."
He added: "Every game is a must win and nothing has changed. The importance of the points is the same. I hope the players stay focused, do their task and ignore the outside noise. What I try to give our players is confidence."
Asked about the complaint West Ham filed over their late equaliser being disallowed against Arsenal, Nuno said: "We tried to find some answers with things we are concerned about. I suppose we [Premier League clubs] all compare similar situations and this is why we need consistency. I don't have time to think about the changes and finding solutions is not my problem. The referees must understand the needs of solving this doubt. I believe the Premier League and the referees will solve it."
He added: "The job of the referees is really hard and difficult. VAR was supposed to help the referees. Is it helping? Is it creating more questions? I believe they can do better."
West Ham should have had two penaltiespublished at 11:06 BST 15 May
11:06 BST 15 May
Three more video assistant referee errors have been confirmed by the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel, taking the total this season to 23.
The panel has recorded three errors involving penalties, two of which should have been awarded for holding offences.
West Ham should have been given two spot-kicks in their 3-0 loss at Brentford - though one of the decisions was not considered to have reached the VAR threshold.
Keane Lewis-Potter held Tomas Soucek "in a clear non-footballing action which impacted the West Ham player's movement" and the panel unanimously felt the VAR Tony Harrington should have stepped in.
It was also felt referee Craig Pawson should have pointed to the spot in the 77th minute when Yehor Yarmolyuk slipped and brought down Pablo inside the area.
That was a split 3-2 vote for a spot-kick, but 4-1 against a VAR review.
So we asked supporters of clubs involved - including West Ham fan contributor Holly Turbutt - what it says about how VAR is working...
Media caption,
The VAR decision in the West Ham-Arsenal game has caused a huge debate among fans as to how useful this technology actually is in the Premier League.
We know it was introduced to stop those clear and obvious errors that we were seeing happening quite a lot with referees, but the problem is that it still comes down to human error and human decision-making, and you can't look at everything across the board.
That's where the frustration is coming.
We're seeing inconsistencies as fans. We're seeing four-minute checks when fans don't know whether to celebrate or not. We're seeing so many situations that don't get looked - or a situation that is given as a foul through VAR in one game, but not in another.
And you've also got the situation when, if a referee goes to the screen, 99% of the time it feels like they are going to change their mind.
All of this means VAR does not feel like the useful resource we hoped it might be when it was introduced.
Ultimately, VAR shines a spotlight on one moment but then it still comes down to a human decision in that moment, which is prone to human error and bound to cause debate among fans because it's such a pressured environment.
The question is: has it actually changed anything?
Gossip: Hammers eyeing a move for striker Fallpublished at 07:52 BST 14 May
07:52 BST 14 May
Premier League sides West Ham and Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on 21-year-old Pape Moussa Fall, a 6ft 6in Senegalese striker who is on loan at Belgian side RAAL La Louviere from Metz. (TeamTalk), external
Everton should have got penalty for Fernandes handball - Webbpublished at 15:26 BST 13 May
15:26 BST 13 May
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Premier League referees' chief Howard Webb has admitted that Everton should have been awarded a penalty in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham last month.
David Moyes' side trailed 1-0 in the 84th minute when Hammers midfielder Mateus Fernandes touched the ball with his hand during a tussle with Thierno Barry.
"He punched the ball," Moyes said after the game. "It would have been harsh, but I'm amazed they haven't given it."
The video assistant referee, Michael Salisbury, chose not to intervene as Fernandes "accidentally handled the ball while grappling with an opponent".
But Webb has said that the VAR made a mistake and should have advised a spot kick.
"From the outset, I want to say we think a penalty should've been awarded here against Fernandes," Webb said on Match Officials Mic'd Up.
"However, I don't think he really meant to deliberately handle the ball.
"He doesn't make himself unnaturally bigger here. He moves his arm forward. I think he's probably trying to prevent the attacker from turning him. But in doing that, he kind of bats the ball away.
"He can't even see the ball, but Fernandes knows more or less where the ball is, and it's a deliberate action with his arm, probably not to handle the ball, but to do something.
"And therefore, I think we've given Fernandes way too much benefit of the doubt here.
"In this situation, a penalty would've been the right outcome."
Would a corner rule change work?published at 11:18 BST 13 May
11:18 BST 13 May
Media caption,
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.
In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.
Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".
You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating:"Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"
'There's still a lot of hope'published at 08:55 BST 13 May
08:55 BST 13 May
James Jones Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
It was hard not to feel defeated after West Ham's controversial home loss to Arsenal on Sunday.
Failing to take at least a point from that game meant Tottenham had a chance to put a four-point cushion between them and the bottom three with just two games to play, when they hosted Leeds on Monday night. That would've left zero room for error for West Ham at Newcastle on Sunday.
But Spurs' 1-1 draw on Monday night means there's still a lot of hope that the great escape is still on in east London.
Victory at St James' Park will guarantee a tense final day of the season, even if Spurs do manage to record only their second ever Premier League win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.
If it does go to the final day, then it's hard to look past West Ham winning. West Ham have just one loss from their last seven home games (W3, D3). In addition, with the fans in a similar voice as they were against the Gunners on Sunday and with Leeds having nothing to play for, Nuno Espirito Santo's side will be clear favourites.
If the gap is still two points, then of course West Ham will need former boss David Moyes to do them a favour by beating Spurs away with Everton. A draw won't do because West Ham's goal difference is considerably worse. But an Everton win isn't entirely out of the question, given they'll likely need a win for a chance of qualifying for Europe, while Spurs have just two home wins to their name all season.
Ideally, West Ham will need a win to guarantee survival on the final day, without needing Everton to get something at Spurs. If that's how it's set up, I back us to get the job done. If not, having to rely on results elsewhere is far from ideal.
Either way, this coming weekend is absolutely huge. West Ham could be relegated by Tuesday night, or they could be 90 minutes from Premier League survival.
'Relegation fight on a knife edge' for Tottenham and West Hampublished at 08:23 BST 13 May
08:23 BST 13 May
Prudent Nsengiyumva BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
With two games left, the relegation fight between Tottenham and West Ham is on a knife edge - and their recent form tells two very different stories.
Tottenham have somewhat steadied themselves under Roberto de Zerbi. They are four games unbeaten (W2 D2), their longest run without defeat this season, and one that reflects a side finally showing some resilience after months of turbulence.
Their last unbeaten run of five matches came in December and January, a period that seems a long time ago now.
Momentum has rarely been Spurs' friend this year, but avoiding defeat at this stage is no small thing.
West Ham, by contrast, are sliding at the worst possible moment. Defeat at Newcastle would make it three losses on the bounce, something that has already happened twice under Nuno Espirito Santo - once in October and again in December.
When results dip, they tend to dip quickly, and the Hammers' season has been punctuated by damaging spells that have dragged them back into trouble.
Spurs still have their fate in their own hands, while West Ham's margin for error is shrinking fast. Over the next two defining games, survival may hinge on who holds their nerve.
'It does feel like the final straw'published at 15:46 BST 11 May
15:46 BST 11 May
Holly Turbutt Fan contributor
Media caption,
The VAR call in West Ham's defeat at the Arsenal feels "painful", says fan Holly Turbutt.
The moment proved the talking point of the weekend and pushed the Hammers closer to relegation.
"It does feel like the final straw that is going to send us down," she explains.
"It's horrible to see, it's horrible because we did manage to stay in that game and it's horrible as it means so much for us to stay in the Premier League.
"Now we are left feeling like we need a miracle to be able to stay up. Here's hoping. It's not over by any means but it does feel like we are running out of time and I don't know if we have what we need to turn it around now."
Steve: Thought West Ham frustrated Arsenal for most of the game and could even have won it. Great disappointment when the equaliser was disallowed but it was the correct decision. Arsenal almost there and fully deserve their position.
John: The writing was on the wall very early that West Ham would struggle to survive in the Premier League this season. We didn't start to put up a fight until late January and even then we lost crucial games when Forest and Leeds were fighting more than we were. Unfortunately we will have to take our medicine and do what we always do and bounce back from the Championship!
James: Resolute performance. Tactically we looked like we had the right shape for this game. It was always going to be tough for Taty, but he worked hard. I think we had the best chance of the game with Mateus Fernandes at 0-0 which could have provided a different result. I'll look forward to cheaper tickets next season in the Championship.
Samuel: Furious, absolutely furious. We played fantastically against the best defence in the division and nullified most of their attacks. But that moment at the end has cost us dear. It was never a foul on the keeper and the goal would have been deserved for our battling performance.
Arsenal fans
Sam: That was one of the most stressful matches we could have asked for but the end result is exactly what was needed. It was an ugly watch and at times we struggled to create much up against a resilient West Ham defence. Leandro Trossard came up with the vital moment but full credit to Martin Odegaard who was exceptional when he came on. The disallowed goal was the correct decision in the end, it's probably a little bit soft but it's still a clear foul on David Raya. Just two games away from the trophy now. We've never been in a better position than we are now and it's fully in our own hands.
Mark: Mikel Arteta will know he got away with one today. The decision to put Declan Rice at right back was a shocker - and it almost cost us dear as it meant that he had used up all his subs when we were trying to see the game out. Much as I dislike VAR, today it was used as it should be - to help the referee see something that he missed in real time - not one but two fouls on David Raya, without which he would have caught the ball.
Matthew: The biggest takeaway was Arsenal's maturity. In previous years, this is the kind of match they might have drawn. Instead, they stayed calm, found the breakthrough and managed the closing stages well, even surviving a late VAR scare.
Will: A nervy performance, we were fortunate to come away with three points. Bukayo Saka did not step up and did not give us a captain's performance. David Raya has shown how consistent he is in every game that he plays. We lost 25 minutes of play making without Declan Rice in the first half when Mikel Arteta moved him to right back. We need to do a lot better in our two remaining games.
'Time has come for law change' - former official Cannpublished at 12:30 BST 11 May
12:30 BST 11 May
Image source, Getty Images
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has called for a rule change that would stop attacking players from entering the six-yard box before a corner.
Cann suggested the idea after Callum Wilson's late goal for West Ham against Arsenal on Sunday was disallowed because Hammers forward Pablo was judged to have fouled goalkeeper David Raya as the corner was sent into the penalty area.
"I feel the time has come now for a law change, whereby no attackers are allowed in the six-yard box before a corner is taken," Cann told BBC Match of the Day.
"At goal-kicks, forwards are not allowed in the penalty area; at corners, they shouldn't be allowed in the six-yard box until the ball is in play.
"Lots of teams grapple at corners, sometimes before the ball has come into play and then obviously the referee can't give a penalty or an indirect free kick if the ball is not in play, so this would create that natural separation and eradicate these kind of situations."
'It's a clear foul' - Rooney on disallowed goalpublished at 09:51 BST 11 May
09:51 BST 11 May
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham United's late equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday was correctly disallowed by the referee and VAR, says former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney.
Callum Wilson scored in stoppage time to salvage a point at London Stadium but referee Chris Kavanagh overturned his on-field decision after being sent to the monitor by VAR, judging that Hammers forward Pablo had fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya as he attempted to collect a corner-kick.
"A lot of people say it probably should have stood and because it's controversial, Manchester City players, staff and fans are going to say it should have stood and then the Tottenham fans, staff and players saying it shouldn't have stood.
"But it's a clear foul, you can clearly see his [Pablo's] arm across his [Raya's] face, and it impacted him getting to the ball so, I think it's the right decision."
Arsenal's victory meant they went five points clear of City in the Premier League title race while West Ham stay in the relegation zone, a point behind Tottenham.
Rooney added: "It's the one time I actually think VAR's done a really good job in such an important game. I didn't think it was a hard decision – I think it was a simple decision and I get the importance of it but you can't take that into account, you've just got to take it for what it is and it's a foul."
Spurs, who are one point above the Hammers with a game in hand, will be safe if they win two of their final three games.
After playing Leeds, they face Chelsea away and then Everton at home on the final day.
West Ham, who host Leeds on the final day, will need to pick up at least two points more than Spurs because of a significantly inferior goal difference.
"We played well," said West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo after Sunday's defeat by Arsenal.
"The character of the boys, the noise of the stadium. We knew the position that we are in and the boys gave it a proper fight.
"This is what we will try to do until the last minute of the season. Two games to go, it is our job to bounce back and fight and know that anything can still happen.
"Of course it is hard but we have been competing well, especially at London Stadium. The energy of the crowd was contagious for the boys. We're going to give it a go. This group of players will react."
