EPL: Tottenham fall to West Ham, Southampton safe from relegation

  • 28/04/2019

Tottenham Hotspur still have work to do to secure a top-four spot in the English Premier League after they suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham.

Michail Antonio scored the only goal on 67 minutes to leave Spurs still third but just three points ahead of Chelsea and four ahead of Arsenal, both of whom play on Monday (NZ time).

Cardiff City's survival hopes took a big knock as they lost 1-0 at already- relegated Fulham, while Southampton are safe after a 3-3 draw with Bournemouth.

Manchester City can go back above Liverpool at the top if they win at Burnley on Monday.

Victory for Spurs would have all but sealed their place in the top four but West Ham made them pay for missed opportunities, with Antonio producing a moment of real skill before rifling the ball home.

The goal made West Ham the first side to win in Tottenham's new stadium.

"It is a fight, it is a race, with two games to play," Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said.

"We knew that before."

The visitors could also have taken the lead themselves in the first half but when Antonio got his opportunity in the second, he took it with aplomb.

Antonio and Issa Diop both went close to a second for West Ham while the closest Tottenham came was when substitute Vincent Janssen saw a header cleared off the line by Fabian Balbuena.

"After Brighton everyone had a very good feeling, fantastic season and we're arriving in a good way," Pochettino said.

"Today (was) the opposite way. First half we deserved it, second half they deserve it."

Meanwhile, Southampton secured themselves Premier League football for another season after they drew 3-3 with Bournemouth.

Shane Long, James Ward-Prowse and Matt Targett scored the goals to earn a point for Southampton.

Brighton boosted their chances of staying in the top flight after battling to a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.

After 18th-placed Cardiff City lost at relegated Fulham earlier - Ryan Babel scoring their winner from 25 yards - Brighton earned a point that left them four clear of the relegation zone with two matches remaining.

Ayoze Perez put Newcastle in front in the 18th minute with a fine finish but the home side got their reward after 75 minutes when Pascal Gross headed in their first goal in eight matches in all competitions to equalise.

Diogo Joto scored the winner as Wolves pinched a 2-1 victory at Watford, while Crystal Palace drew 0-0 with Everton in the day's other match.

DPA