West Ham United's Crysencio Summerville is being monitored by a number of clubs across Europe, with his asking price set to drop if the Hammers are relegated. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)
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James Jones
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter West Ham's 3-0 defeat at Brentford and Spurs' subsequent win over a heavily rotated Aston Villa side, things look very bleak for the Hammers' Premier League status.
One point behind Tottenham - and Arsenal at home next. Spurs have an already-safe Leeds on the same weekend. We could be four points adrift with two games to play. We could be relegated within the next fortnight. It's a tragic state of affairs which will need one hell of an inquest if it happens.
But talk is already focused on who should be in charge if relegation is confirmed.
Reports this weekend suggest West Ham really want to keep Nuno Espirito Santo in his post, regardless of what happens. Some reports say Nuno is also keen on staying on. Others claim he's undecided.
Whatever the truth, it's hard to look past Nuno as the perfect manager for West Ham in this moment. He was promoted with Wolves at then finished seventh in the Premier League in consecutive seasons. He has a history of bringing a club up and then re-establishing them in the top flight.
He guided Nottingham Forest to European football in a season when they were one of the favourites to go down. The Portuguese knows what it takes and that's what West Ham need. We need to bounce straight back and then stay in the top flight.
Some fans are calling for Scott Parker, and while I get the very obvious sentiment, I can't see it being a good long-term appointment for West Ham.
Parker was promoted with Fulham and relegated the following season. He then took Bournemouth to the Premier League, only to lose his job just four games into the next season after a 9-0 defeat by Liverpool. Now he's taken Burnley up, only to suffer relegation at the first time of asking.
Parker is a top second-tier manager but has proven at three different clubs he doesn't have what it takes at the top level.
Meanwhile, we have a manager with a track record of doing what we desperately need a manager to do. That's why Nuno is perfect - if we go down, that is.
Hopefully, he can form a miracle before then...
Do you agree that Nuno is "the perfect manager" if the Hammers end up being relegated? If not, who would you bring in instead?
Get in touch with your views here
Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external
Who will suffer Premier League relegation this season? Former goalkeeper Shay Given is still undecided, after Tottenham picked up three points against Aston Villa and West Ham suffered a heavy defeat at Brentford.
"A couple of weeks ago, I thought Tottenham were literally doomed," Given explained on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "I thought they were gone.
"It is amazing what one set of fixtures can do because us 'experts' are now saying it looks like West Ham are doomed.
"But they have been in this position all season, they know exactly what they need to do, and they have been fighting for their lives.
"Tottenham got a great result [against Aston Villa] but that doesn't mean they can just turn the tap on now. Things don't just change after one result.
"I think there are still a few twists and turns to come, and I think it is still too early to call who's going to go down."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds
Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist
Since the Premier League became a 20-team format in 1995, the average number of points needed for safety has been 36.
But that will not be enough this time around given that West Ham have already reached that tally and currently occupy the third and final relegation place.
According to data experts Opta, the Hammers are now favourites (77.71%) to be relegated, with Tottenham at 22.03% and Nottingham Forest just 0.13%.
If the three sides continue picking up points at their current rate, then it will be the Hammers who are relegated to the second tier for the first time since 2011.
The 2023 Conference League winners are averaging 1.03 points per game, which would mean they finish the season on 39 points.
Tottenham's return of 1.06 points per game puts them on course to finish on 40 points, while Forest are on track to secure safety for a fourth consecutive season by earning a tally of 46 points.
In a relegation battle like no other, will the Premier League have one final shock in store?
Manchester United are interested in midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who is expected to leave West Ham if they are relegated from the Premier League. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column, external
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says the Hammers will get the "right results" if they keep playing like they are, despite Saturday's damaging 3-0 defeat at Brentford.
West Ham offered enough as an attacking force against the Bees to suggest they can still avoid relegation, hitting the woodwork three times and having a goal narrowly ruled out for offside, but poor defending will give Nuno Espirito Santo concerns before next weekend's visit of league leaders Arsenal.
"I've been in a relegation scrap in my career and I think you look at West Ham and momentum and performances have been there, which is a massive thing," Reo-Coker told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"The belief they can win games or get points out of them has been clear.
"This weekend, the result doesn't reflect the performance. Now for me it's up to Nuno to convey to the players that they did not get the result but the performance was still there to keep that belief and momentum going into the next run of fixtures.
"If they play like that then they will get the right results. That's how I look at it.
"The killer incident against Brentford was when they have away that cheap penalty. That was the turning point where the game really got away from them.
"That is the type of mistake you can't make. But, they still had opportunities to score, hit the post a few times, and didn't take their chances when they got them.
"When you're in that relegation fight it's about the mindset. That's what a good manager would take from that game for West Ham and say, 'bad day at the office today but look at all the positives'.
"It can still go right down to the wire. There are still games and they are still in it."
Chris Wise
Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter watching West Ham United win against Everton a week ago, I quietly considered that they had the character to survive this season.
But, having seen them lose at Brentford on Saturday, I have somewhat retreated from that thought process.
Let's be clear, West Ham would have won at Gtech Community Stadium on another day. They created more than enough chances and it is actually genuinely baffling that they didn't score at all.
But having been forthright in the first half, they lost their way after half-time.
The penalty they conceded was the start of a number of moments of ill-discipline, culminating in conceding a third goal which wasn't a good look for the Hammers' defence.
There was a feeling leaving the stadium that the feel-good factor Nuno Espirito Santo's side had built up had been popped, but we won't know how true that is until they face Arsenal next weekend.
Get a positive result in that game and the perception changes dramatically again.
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and West Ham.
Here are some of your comments:
Brentford fans
Ian: Another three points on the board. Also, Josh Dasilva is back on the pitch! What an ovation when he came on as a substitute. Brentford are still in there, despite some doubters at the start of the season - but those were not supporters. Come on, you Bees.
Jerry: We took our chances with a thing of beauty from Mikkel Damsgaard, but West Ham thankfully were profligate in front of goal, which is why they are in a relegation scrap with Spurs, and we still have a chance of a first European jaunt. However, do we really want one? I would prefer to have another good next season as opposed to fighting on two fronts. Thankfully, that decision lies with Matthew Bentham and not yours truly.
Paul: We've played much better and lost, such is the competitive nature of the Premier League. So, this was a welcome win, the bonus being the long-awaited return of Dasilva - a true Brentford legend. He's been with us during our rise up the leagues. He's had his injury problems, but the club have consistently stood by him. I hope to see many more of those trademark goals of his where he cuts in from the right and curls it into the top left-hand corner.
Tim: Nearly as entertaining as the game at Old Trafford. Against Manchester United we should really have got something, but we got nothing. West Ham deserved at least a point, but walked away without it. Nice to remember what winning feels like, at least.
West Ham fans
Gary: As the fans have been saying for years now, Sullivan and Brady's complete mismanagement of this club is now coming to its natural conclusion. Relegation, with an average squad and a rented athletics stadium.
Joe: West Ham had some chances to make the game interesting, unlucky on some, but have to do better defending. Diouf looking off, maybe getting his head turned with rumours. Have to rely on other results going our way.
Graham: It pains me to say this - but yet another abject performance that demonstrates why West Ham are no longer a Premier League team and, in truth, haven't been since David Moyes left the club. The team have needed a statement win or two to provide momentum that hasn't been delivered by the 'scrape by' wins in the past two months. Don't blame Nuno - he has inherited a team with only a fleeting desire to win from a group of players who will be largely sold off at a loss to other Premier League teams when West Ham are relegated. Where is the poetic justice in that?
Dave: It's all over, relegation is coming. Sullivan out, so we can have half a hope of returning sometime.
Five-time Premier League champion Wayne Rooney has criticised relegation-threatened West Ham United's "appalling defensive display" in their 3-0 defeat by Brentford.
The Hammers have shipped 61 goals in 35 Premier League games this season, a record only beaten by already-relegated sides Burnley (71) and Wolves (63).
When analysing the game on Match of the Day, ex-England captain Rooney said: "West Ham's defending was shocking. When you're trying to stay in the Premier League, you can't concede goals the way they did.
"It was an appalling defensive display. If I was those West Ham fans, I would be really concerned after seeing that performance."
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Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen Tomas Soucek's effort grazed the post in the final stages of West Ham United's defeat at Brentford on Saturday afternoon, their supporters could've been forgiven for exchanging exasperated looks.
The 3-0 scoreline at Gtech Community Stadium may point to a comfortable victory for Keith Andrews' Europe-chasing side, but it tells only half the story.
Victory would have lifted West Ham five points clear of the bottom three, but instead they have left the door ajar for Tottenham to leapfrog them with victory at Aston Villa on Sunday night.
The Hammers currently remain two points above Spurs, but Roberto de Zerbi's side have a game in hand and are nine goals healthier in terms of goal difference.
"We had chances, we hit the post twice, we hit the bar and we hit the post again," captain Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports. "It's really disappointing. We had good opportunities.
"On another day we would have got the win. We have done a lot of good things."
But if Tottenham win at Villa Park, it would leave them in the driving seat - just - to avoid the drop.
It would also leave West Ham hoping for a result against title-chasing Arsenal, who are six points clear at the top of the table and have plundered 11 goals on their previous two league visits to London Stadium.
After facing Aston Villa, Tottenham's next game is at home to a Leeds United side who have lost their past five league meetings against the north London club.
So although the form book often means little as the battle for survival reaches its climax, Brentford's win could prove pivotal for West Ham and Spurs.
In an interview on West Ham United's website, external, Nuno Espirito Santo urged his players to respond against Arsenal and called on the fans to play their part.
"Let's realise that how we react from a bad day is going to keep us alive in this [relegation] fight," the head coach said.
"We have been asking our fans for their support and our fans are giving back. They are disappointed with us [after this result], but we need them more than ever."
Pundits Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
West Ham must react and perform better in final games - Nuno
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I stand here honest and trying to speak to you about what I saw. Brentford is a very good team but the way we react and play the first half, hitting the post, having a goal disallowed for a tight margin, it gives us hope at half-time. But the penalty hurts us and after that is becomes an old situation with the rush.
"But it's up to us how we react from a tough loss today. [The penalty] it hurt us, it goes against what we wanted in the half-time talk. It's unfortunate we conceded from a penalty, it could be avoided.
"It's up to us how we will react from the situation and noise. Let's stick together. We have three games to go. It will go down to the wire, the last game. We have to stick together."
Did you know?
West Ham have failed to score in three consecutive Premier League away games for the first time since April 2019 under Manuel Pellegrini (3).
The Hammers have named the same starting XI for four consecutive Premier League games for the first time since September/October 2023 (5).
Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesWest Ham offered enough as an attacking force to suggest they can avoid relegation, but their naive defending could prove costly.
While Konstantinos Mavropanos was unfortunate to see his attempted clearance go into his own net, a rush of blood to Mads Hermansen's head could easily have resulted in Brentford's second.
The Dane was left in no-man's land after charging out of his penalty area midway through the first half and was relieved to see Mikkel Damsgaard steer the ball wide.
El Hadji Malick Diouf rash challenge on Dango Ouattara gifted Brentford another opportunity to double their advantage. He was nowhere near getting a touch on the ball, and whether he needed to slide in is up for debate.
That said, Nuno Espirito Santo's team created enough opportunities to make the scoresheet - or even escape with a point.
Taty Castellanos was desperately unlucky not to find the target before half-time, striking a post twice and having a fierce effort tipped over the crossbar by Caoimhin Kelleher.
A marginal offside call denied Mavropanos a first-half equaliser, while Crysencio Summerville's late effort almost crept under the bar.
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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Brentford's performance
What did you make of West Ham's display?
Come back on Sunday for a selection of your replies
Keith Andrews keeps faith with the Brentford team that started Monday night's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United.
Midfielder Vitaly Janelt, who has missed the Bees' last seven games with a foot injury, is back among the substitutes.
Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade, Thiago
Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Pinnock, Dasilva, Nelson, Ajer, Janelt, Donovan, Furo
Nuno Espirito Santo names an unchanged West Ham side for the fourth game in succession.
Callum Wilson has to settle for a place on the bench after scoring the winner against Everton last weekend, while Konstantinos Mavropanos makes his 100th appearance for the Hammers.
West Ham XI: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Bowen, Soucek, Mateus Fernandes, Summerville, Pablo, Castellanos
Subs: Areola, Wilson, Adama, Lamadrid, Todibo, Magassa, Wan-Bissaka, Scarles, Kante
There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Brentford v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Newcastle v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Wolves v Sunderland
Arsenal v Fulham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Fulham", for instance.
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
What a superb and much-needed win for West Ham last week against their old boss David Moyes.
The Hammers have been building momentum since the turn of the year but that result was down to a mixture of good football and good fortune - Matheus Fernandes nearly caught the ball in his own box but Everton somehow did not get given a penalty.
Brentford were unlucky not to get something at Old Trafford on Monday but they are still right in the mix for the European places, although Igor Thiago needs to find his shooting boots again after a disappointing night against Manchester United.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist
Brentford need to find some impetus late in the season to reignite their European hopes. Desperate to secure Premier League survival, West Ham United are their opponents at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Final home games crucial for Brentford
Defeat to Manchester United on Monday ended Brentford's run of five consecutive draws in the top flight. It's a sequence that has allowed Brighton and AFC Bournemouth to leap ahead of the Bees in the table. Still, Keith Andrews' side go into the weekend fixtures just two points off sixth place.
At the other end of the table, West Ham are keeping their heads above water. They left it late against Everton last time out, though, with Callum Wilson's injury-time winner ensuring Tottenham Hotspur remained in the relegation zone with just four games to play. The gap between the two London rivals is just two points.
A season that promised so much is in danger of ending with a whimper for Brentford, with hopes of European qualification now out of their hands.
The reasons for their poor form are not entirely clear. At times, they have struggled to score goals - most recently in 0-0 draws with Leeds and Fulham - while in other games they have conceded goals, as seen in the 2-1 loss at Manchester United on Monday.
If Brentford are going to get back on track, their final two home games - against West Ham and Crystal Palace - look crucial. Their other two fixtures are away at Manchester City and Liverpool.
Andrews would also be grateful if more players could contribute goals in attack. Aside from Igor Thiago. Kevin Schade has not registered a goal or an assist in his last seven games in all competitions, while Dango Ouattara has gone 10 games without scoring.
Needless to say, Brentford have been heavily reliant on the goalscoring exploits of their Brazilian striker this season. Thiago's 21 goals account for 43% of the team's total league goals — the highest proportion in the Premier League.
Bowen brilliance keeping West Ham afloat
West Ham should be confident given their recent form – they have taken 22 points from their last 13 games – but their record against Brentford leaves a lot to be desired.
They have conceded in all nine of the Premier League games between the two sides since the Bees returned to the top flight. Seven of those nine matches have been defeats for the Hammers too, which is their highest loss rate against any side they've faced five or more times in the competition.
With Brentford in a bit of a rut, this weekend could be a perfect moment for that to change. In Jarrod Bowen, West Ham arguably have one of the in-form forwards in the Premier League.
Bowen set up two more goals against Everton last weekend to take his assist tally to 10 for the season in the top flight. Coupled with his eight goals, only Harry Kane and Mason Greenwood have more goal contributions across European football's top five leagues among English players.
Manchester United are interested in West Ham's El Hadji Malick Diouf, providing competition for Luke Shaw at left-back. (Guardian, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
