Premier League matchday 12 was a mixed bag for West Ham, who remain in 14th place — a position we will hold irrespective of Monday’s game against Newcastle United at St James Park.
However, before anyone gets the party poppers out, a couple of teams below the Hammers have edged closer.
Everton failed to beat ten-man Brentford, despite playing the entire second half against a depleted Bees side following Norgaard’s dismissal on 41 minutes. The 0-0 draw moved the Toffees to within just one point of West Ham, but events in the Midlands are cause for greater concern.
Wolverhampton Wanderers secured back-to-back victories with an impressive 4-1 demolition of high-flying Fulham. With Wolves visiting the London Stadium at the start of December, what once looked like a winnable fixture now appears far more challenging, with Gary O’Neil’s side showing significant improvement.
Leicester City remain two points behind the Hammers after losing to Chelsea, but Crystal Palace — now in the relegation zone — have also closed the gap. Only four points and a solitary goal currently separate Julen Lopetegui’s team from the drop zone
