West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to Sky Sports following the defeat: “We had a big disadvantage because we conceded two goals, but the game wasn’t lost. We tried to react, but the way we conceded was poor. Even though we tried to react, it wasn’t enough. I saw the mistakes and the disorganisation of the team. We were too open, we were allowing Newcastle to play. It was a very difficult match for us.
“Maybe we prepared badly? Maybe we made mistakes? We have to look. If you look at the game, then probably yes [I got my team selection wrong].”
On whether he feels let down by his players: “No, let’s look at the game. We started off poorly, we were soft. The way we conceded the first goal and second goal means everything is much harder.
“Let’s try to finish the season with dignity and respect for the club. It is a hard week ahead of us, but we owe it to the club to try until the end. Of course I understand [the fans’ anger].They are frustrated and disappointed with what they saw, and with reason.
“The way we started the game was really bad, but we have been trying to improve and get better. This was not a step forward. We have to realise our situation is very difficult, there is a lot of anxiety and nerves. These things don’t help, but we have to take responsibility.”
On the week ahead: “Let’s wait until Tuesday. We have been in situations in recent weeks where you have chances to go [clear] and don’t take it, then we expect what is happening in other games. It is possible, but it is difficult.”
Mateus Fernandes has also been talking to Sky Sports: “The first 20 minutes was so painful for us. We have been training all week to do one thing, yet we arrived here and didn’t do it. This week, we just needed to believe [in ourselves] and do our things. It is our [the players’] responsibility. We need to do much better.
“It needs to be us [the players’ responsibility] always. Since the first day, it is the players who decide the games. Everyone needs to take responsibility for this moment and be a man. This is football.
“We need to be positive because we have one more game. It is one game that can change everything. We could’ve put pressure on Tottenham, but now it’s difficult.
“Of course [I understand the fans’ frustration at full-time]. We didn’t play with full fight and spirit like we did against Arsenal. We missed everything – the fight, the energy, and every time we were late to the second balls.
“It is very hard to think about the future. We have one game that we have to try to win. It is difficult, anything can happen. Hopefully Tottenham lose against Chelsea, and then in the last match we go with everything. We have to believe.”
Did you know?
- West Ham have lost three consecutive Premier League games for a third time this season (also in October and December). Before this current run of three successive defeats, the Hammers had lost just three of their previous 13 league matches (W6 D4).
- The Hammers in 2025-26 are just the third side in Premier League history to have two different goalkeepers (Mads Hermansen and Alphonse Areola) provide an assist in a single season, after Derby County in 1996-97 and Newcastle United in 2012-13.