Seven points clear of danger and on the right side of the 35-point mark, West Ham United look safe from Premier League relegation now. The victory over Manchester United on Sunday night proved to be the decisive moment in their league season and Leeds United may take advantage.
The Hammers staff and players are likely to find it difficult to ignore the allure of their Europa Conference League quest. AZ Alkmaar will visit London Stadium on Thursday before West Ham make a return visit to the Netherlands on May 18.
That second leg takes place three days before the Whites head down to the capital for their final away match of the season. If David Moyes rotates after that second leg or risks using tired legs, concentration and motivation in the league is unlikely to serve West Ham well.
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It’s not a walkover for Leeds, but in a run of games which looks challenging on paper for the Whites, it is the small crumb of comfort they need to take in their own fight for survival. While United will have had an uninterrupted eight days to prepare for the capital visit, West Ham will be occupied by the biggest game of their season.
It was David de Gea who dropped the clanger behind West Ham’s march to safety. Man United’s long-standing goalkeeper could only put a tame glove on Said Benrahma’s shot in London as it rolled in for a 1-0 home win.
Beyond that error, West Ham were the better team and deserved to win by more on the night. Erik ten Hag’s side have their own problems to deal with, but Leeds fans are sure to have revelled in the small role their bitter rivals played in at least softening the Whites’ run-in.
“We’re in a much better place,” said Moyes. “Winning tonight puts us in a much stronger position.
“It may be enough come May 28 to say it was enough points, but for the moment, while it’s not, we have to keep going and looking to win, but it just gives us a chance to take confidence.”
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