Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane said West Ham lacked intensity and motivation in their heartbreaking defeat to Newcastle.
The Hammers are in serious danger of being relegated from the Premier League after losing 3-1 at St James’ Park.
Rivals Spurs need just one point from their remaining two Premier League games to knock West Ham into the Championship. If Spurs lose Tuesday night’s game against Chelsea, which will be shown live on Sky Sports, West Ham will have to hope for a win against Leeds at the London Stadium and then Everton win their final game against Spurs on the final day.
But despite the high stakes on Sunday, West Ham’s mistakes helped Newcastle win.
“Newcastle must have been in disbelief at their good fortune,” Keane said. “This is a Newcastle team that hasn’t had great performances lately, but you’re giving them a game.
“In the end they won, but when you’re down 3-0 it’s very easy to go for the win. The game is over.
“It’s about the way they started the game. That wasn’t a team fighting for their lives.
“Obviously they lack confidence. It’s like they haven’t recovered from last weekend (against Arsenal). The decisions they made last week were against them and they almost felt sorry for themselves.”
“Let’s be compact, hard to lose, stay in the game. They did the opposite. They give goals and the standings don’t lie. Not enough. Decision-making, it’s like elementary school.”
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Free to watch: Premier League highlights of Newcastle United vs. West Ham
West Ham were 2-0 up within 19 minutes and set the tone when a pass from goalkeeper Mads Hermansen allowed Harvey Barnes to cross, allowing free Nick Waltemade to score the first goal.
Looking back on the goal, Keane said, “It was unbelievable.” “Players make mistakes and it’s what you do afterwards, you try to cover your teammates.
“No intensity, no desire. Fighting for life? They didn’t show it.
“It was a long time ago to start a game like that.”
Nuno: West Ham players deserved heck from traveling fans
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West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo remains hopeful that his side can avoid relegation to the Premier League despite losing 3-1 to Newcastle United.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted that West Ham fans were right to shout that the players were “not fit to wear the shirt” after their side faced relegation from the Premier League after their defeat to Newcastle.
Some of the away support made their emotions abundantly clear at the final whistle, and Nuno had no problem with that.
“Obviously we’re very hurt. This is our job, this is our life, but the fans are right and they are expressing their anger and frustration today and they have a reason to do so.”
“It hurts, it hurts the players, it hurts us, it hurts the club. That’s why this week we have to end the season with dignity and respect for our fans.”
“We have to work harder to give the fans a different performance and attitude about the game at the London Stadium.
“Anything is possible. Let’s wait for Tuesday. Even if it is difficult, we are still alive. Let’s see. There is hope. But above all, respect. Let’s prepare and perform better. This is what our fans deserve.”
He added: “It was a bad performance and a bad day for us. It’s going to be a tough week from now on. After today it’s going to be a very tough week.”
Fernandes: I have to believe I can stay awake.
West Ham midfielder Matheus Fernandes also gave a harsh assessment of his team’s performance. He called on his teammates to step up and take responsibility.
“The first 20 minutes were very painful for us,” he told Sky Sports. “We were trying to do one thing and when we arrived we were doing another thing.
“They created the chances and then we tried to create and only scored one goal.
“We need to believe this week, just believe. It’s our responsibility and we need to get better.
“It’s the players who decide the game from the first day. They have to take responsibility in this moment. There’s one more game left.
“It’s frustrating because everything changes in one game. It’s difficult.”
West Ham players who went to thank their traveling supporters at full-time were greeted with chants of “not fit to wear the shirt”.
When asked about that, Fernandes said, “We didn’t fight as hard as we did against Arsenal and play with the spirit.” “I missed the game, the energy, the second ball, everything.
“It’s very difficult to think about the future. It’s one game to try to get a good result. It’s difficult, but that’s football. Anything can happen.”
