West Ham hold on for precious point to confirm Wolves relegation

· Yahoo Sports

Taty Castellanos tries an overhead kick after Dean Henderson’s misjudged punch, but finds Maxence Lacroix in the way - Jordan Pettitt/PA

A hard-fought point from a London derby eased West Ham’s relegation fears only slightly but it was enough for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ demotion to the Championship to be confirmed.

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Tottenham hopes that Palace might do them a big favour proved unfounded, although Oliver Glasner’s hosts did manage to put the ball in the West Ham net, only for it to be ruled out.

West Ham ended the evening two points clear of third-bottom Tottenham instead of the four they had been hoping for, but it was another solid performance from Nuno Espírito Santo’s steady improvers.

Victories for relegation rivals Leeds United and Nottingham Forest over the weekend heaped extra pressure on to the shoulders of the visitors, but Tottenham’s failure to beat Brighton on Saturday, courtesy of a late Albion equaliser, was a morale-booster for a squad that appeared doomed at the start of the year following back-to-back defeats at the hands of Wolves and Forest.

Much was made too, especially by Spurs fans, of Palace’s decision to allow their squad to party on the streets of Florence with supporters on Thursday night to celebrate seeing off Fiorentina to reach the last four of the Uefa Conference League.

Oliver Glasner, the Palace manager, refreshed his starting line-up with four changes, with Adam Wharton ruled out by an injury picked up in Italy. Maxence Lacroix was also hurt against Fiorentina, in a collision with team-mate Daniel Muñoz, but had perked up enough to start this one 

Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes, Brennan Johnson and Jorgen Strand Larsen were recalled, with Daichi Kamada, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta dropping to the bench.

Unsurprisingly, Nuno stuck with the West Ham side who beat Wolves 4-0 nine days previously, the result that put Tottenham into the bottom three for the first time.

Strand Larsen poked Palace’s first chance wide at the near post after Jaydee Canvot had stopped Crysencio Summerville bursting through at the other end.

West Ham’s first opportunity arrived in the 14th minute when Taty Castellanos was too high from the edge of the box, but the game’s next chance was a big one and badly squandered.

Palace spent £35m on bringing in Johnson from Spurs in January, but the man whose slight touch won the Europa League final last season went into the game having failed to impress or score for his current club.

Brennan Johnson missed a glorious chance to open the scoring in the first half - Jordan Pettitt/PA

The Wales winger passed up a great opportunity by heading Tyrick Mitchell’s cross wide while unmarked from 10 yards out.

Johnson, booked for hacking El Hadji Malick Diouf down soon after, curled a much better effort marginally wide as West Ham continued to live dangerously.

Axel Disasi thumped a reply over on the turn but was offside anyway, and a much better chance came their way six minutes before the break.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who had been a prominent partier in Italy, mistimed a punch that fell to Castellanos, whose overhead-kick was prevented from going in by Lacroix. The England keeper soon made amends with a superb stop to keep out Konstantinos Mavropanos’s header. 

Jarrod Bowen saw Hughes block a shot early in the second half that, judging by his reaction, the England man had expected to see flying into the top corner. Bowen attempted an overhead kick soon after but that was blocked.

West Ham soon had to repel a barrage of corners after Johnson, causing problems on the right, sent in dangerous centres.

Glasner made a triple change just before the half-hour mark, with Mateta replacing Strand Larsen and Daichi Kamada and Sarr sent on as well.

A slip at the back by Lerma almost let in Castellanos but Canvot came across to stop him and, when the Argentina striker toppled to the turf, referee Darren England was not remotely interested in awarding a penalty.

Nuno made his first change with 15 minutes to go, sending Callum Wilson on for another January signing yet to open his account for his new London employers, Pablo.

Mads Hermansen had not had much to do in the West Ham goal but nervously fumbled a tame Lerma behind for a corner. The visitors coped with that, with Castellanos forcing Henderson into a save at the other end not long after.

Palace thought they had taken the lead in the 83rd minute when Sarr hooked home from close range, but referee England had spotted that Mateta had helped the ball on to him with an arm and it was instantly chalked off.

10:31pm

Thanks for joining us

That brings our coverage of West Ham’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace to an end, as the east London side edged further away from the drop zone. Thanks for joining us. 

10:30pm

‘Other games don’t matter to us’, says Fernandes

West Ham midfielder Matheus Fernandes, speaking to Sky Sports: “First half was better than the second. We had great chances. It’s one point. We continue for the next game. Every game matters and we have to be ready.

“We just focus on our team, the other games don’t matter. We need to do our job. We have a very good game next to show our quality like we have in the last weeks. We are ready for the battle for the club.

“I think we are showing the mentality and we fight until the end. We know every minute we can score, our players can change the game.”

10:29pm

‘A point isn’t the worst thing in the world’, insists Bowen

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen, speaking to Sky Sports: “They are a really good side on a high from Europe. We knew it was going to be tough coming here and we would have to defend well.

“To be fair we did have some chances that on another day could go in. We wanted to come here and win, but at the end of the day I don’t think a point is the worst thing in the world either.

“Quality is not going to get you out on its own. It’s team spirit and togetherness and I think we did that with a clean sheet. We take a point with the situation we’re in.

“We can’t rely on results or look at everything going on. We have to focus on ourselves and keep fighting.”

10:29pm

‘It will go all the way’, says Nuno

Asked if the relegation fight will go to the last day, Nuno has told BBC Sport: “It will go all the way, for sure. Not only at the bottom of the table but at the top. This season has been very tight.”

On how many points will be needed to stay up, he added: “We don’t make points, we play games. We have a mission ahead and keep going.”

10:25pm

Nuno: It’s going to be a fight until the end

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has told Sky Sports:“We performed well. We were organised and compact. Tough match. Our offensive process, the combinations didn’t quite go - the final ball, the final touch.

“The game was very balanced. It’s a tough shape to play against. It’s brought them a lot of success. It’s hard because they are good players. You cannot find the gaps. They are a threat on the counter-attacks.

“We were solid. It’s going to be a fight until the end.”

10:21pm

The relegation battle run-in

10:19pm

‘We looked closer to winning it’, says Glasner

Palace boss Oliver Glasner told Sky Sports:“Mixed feelings like always after a draw. Let’s talk about the positives - another clean sheet. What I liked to see is that at the end of the game we looked closer to winning it.

“West Ham defended the box very well. We matched their motivation today. It’s all good.

“The biggest threat came from set-plays today. We gifted them too many especially in the first half. They have many tall players and Bowen delivers the ball well.

“The performance was OK. The commitment was great.”

On Brennan Johnson: “It was a good performance. He was a big threat today. It’s not just goals the attackers score, he did very well out of possession. It was a good step in the right direction. He will get confidence from this performance.”

10:13pm

West Ham move two clear of drop zone

10:10pm

‘Draw will feel better with every day that passes’, says Carragher

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has said: “West Ham fans will probably be slightly disappointed right now but I think it will feel better with every day that passes.

“You are playing against Palace, who are in good form, a side who got to bring on Mateta and Sarr.

“The two centre-backs were absolutely outstanding. They are going to need that if they are to stay up.

“They have got an away game out of the way, whereas Tottenham had a home game. They are in the same position.”

10:08pm

Up next

Both sides are back in action at 3pm on Saturday, with West Ham hosting Everton as Crystal Palace visit Liverpool.

Spurs will also be playing at that time as they make the trip to newly-relegated Wolves. 

10:03pm

Burnley also facing drop

Following Wolves’ relegation this evening, Burnley will join them on Wednesday if they lose against Manchester City. 

10:02pm

West Ham two clear of Spurs

West Ham re-establish their two-point cushion over Spurs and the relegation zone, with both London sides picking up a point this weekend.

It’s been a good weekend for Leeds and Nottingham Forest, who are now eight and five points clear of Spurs, respectively, following their victories.  

09:58pm

Wolves relegated

West Ham earning a point this evening means Wolves have been relegated from the Premier League, with Rob Edwards’ side now 16 points adrift of safety with just five games to go. 

09:55pm

Full time: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

The corner is cleared by Palace and it ends goalless at Selhurst Park. 

09:54pm

90+5 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Out of nowhere, Kante has acres of space down West Ham’s right and he feeds Walker-Peters on the overlap but his cross is cut out.

Kante then puts in a strong sliding tackle to stop the Palace clearance and West Ham earn a corner for one last chance. 

09:53pm

90+4 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Kamada’s free-kick picks out the head of Lerma but under pressure, he can only send his effort high and wide. One minute left on the clock. 

09:52pm

90+3 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Diouf slips as he looks to deal with a ball over the top and he is forced to bring down Munoz, giving away the free-kick.

Munoz asks for the yellow card, and while the referee agrees, the Palace man also goes into the book for his appeals.

09:50pm

90+2 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Lerma launches another long throw into the West Ham box but Mavropanos – yet again – wins the header, and Diouf completes the clearance. 

09:50pm

90+1 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Canvot cuts inside and lets fly from range but the defender’s strike goes a long way wide and a long way over. That feels like the kind of attempt to seal a goalless draw.

There will be four minutes added on the prove me wrong... 

09:46pm

87 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Hermansen is given a warning for the amount of time he is taking over a goal-kick. West Ham seemingly playing for the point now. 

Having said that, Bowen floats an inviting ball towards the back post to Wilson, but he is forced backwards and Diouf then fires over. 

09:44pm

85 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Another change from the visitors now, with Kante coming on for the closing stages in place of Castellanos, so a defensive change from Nuno. 

Mitchell sends a low cross into the area aimed towards Mateta but Mavropanos gets a vital foot in. Palace definitely the more likely now. 

09:43pm

83 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Mitchell sends a wicked ball into the area and despite Disasi getting his head to it initially, the ball drops to Sarr after a touch from Mateta and the winger can fire home from close range. 

The goal is immediately ruled out for a handball against Mateta, though, and the onfield decision stands following a quick VAR check. An obvious one for the officials. 

09:41pm

80 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Mitchell’s cross is blocked by Bowen but it’s out for a corner down the home side’s left. Soucek rises highest to head clear, though. 

09:39pm

79 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Before the corner can be taken it, Johnson is replaced by Devenny, who is immediately on set-piece duties. 

The substitute sends a dangerous delivery to the back post but no one in a red and blue shirt peeled off to attack it. 

Down the other end, Castellanos is afforded half a yard but his effort is tame and easy for Henderson. 

09:38pm

78 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Palace create a momentary two-on-two but Sarr stumbles over his feet and the move seems to fizzle out.

But Lerma is teed up on the edge of the area and despite his effort looking like it’s going harmlessly wide, Hermansen parries it behind for a corner. 

09:36pm

77 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

A change now from Nuno, with Wilson replacing Pablo. It looks like the Englishman will lead the line, so Castellanos will just drop into that No 10 role. 

Mateta is released down Palace’s left and he whips a pacey ball into the box but it’s into the midriff of Hermansen.

09:33pm

74 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Both sides carve out promising positions on the counter but both are wasteful at the crucial moments. Some groans from the crowd, who fear this one is heading for a stalemate. 

09:31pm

71 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Lerma winds up a long throw but West Ham win a couple of headers before Mateta delivers a poor cross into the area that is easily dealt with.

This game is just crying out for a moment of quality. Can anyone provide it? 

09:28pm

68 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Diouf sends a lofty ball towards the back post and Canvot loses his bearings slightly as he flicks it behind for a corner, having had no one close to him.

Henderson gets a hand to the delivery before Kamada completes the clearance. 

09:25pm

66 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Mateta for Strand Larsen was always going to happen at some point and Glasner makes it before the hour mark. 

The Palace fans are warming to the big Frenchman again following his failed attempt to join AC Milan in January. Mateta scores a lot of goals – but also misses more chances than any other Premier League marksman I can think of.

09:24pm

65 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Lerma makes a crucial interception on the edge of the area but then slips and Castellanos can drive into the area but Canvot gets a foot in and the ball bobbles through to Henderson. 

09:23pm

64 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Mateta releases Sarr down Palace’s right with a great ball and the winger fizzes a cross into the danger-zone but Hermansen just about keeps a hold of it. 

Walker-Peters then slides a ball down West Ham’s right for Bowen to chase but Canvot shows good pace and strength to get in front of the West Ham man. The Palace defender has been really impressive so far this evening. 

09:20pm

61 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Kamada is immediately involved, on free-kick duties from the right, and he picks out Lerma but the midfielder’s header is easy for Hermansen to deal with. 

Bowen’s run in behind is picked out by Fernandes but Canvot does well to get back and shepherd the winger away from goal.  

09:19pm

59 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

The game has become really stretched in these last few moments as Palace break with pace this time, and a dangerous ball from the right is aimed towards Strand Larsen at the back post but Walker-Peters gets there first to make a vital header.

A triple-change now from Glasner, with Pino, Strand Larsen and Hughes making way for Sarr, Mateta and Kamada. West Ham won’t be too pleased to see that trio coming on. 

09:16pm

56 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Johnson is slipped into the right of the area but his end-product is really disappointing, just lifting a cross into the arms of Hermansen when he really should have cut it back for Strand Larsen. 

Down the other end, Walker-Peters shows great feet to create an opening for Pablo, but his effort from the right of the area is charged down well by a Palace shirt. 

09:13pm

54 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Johnson is fed into Palace’s right attacking channel and he sweeps a teasing ball across the face of goal but Walker-Peters is there to steer it behind for a corner. 

Bowen heads the set-piece away at the near post. 

09:12pm

52 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Bowen combines with Walker-Peters and is found in space on the edge of the area but his strike is blocked by Hughes, though it looked to be heading wide anyway.

Moments later and the England man pulls off an acrobatic cross from the right of the box and it actually threatens to creep in at the back post after looping over Henderson but Richards is well-positioned to head away. 

09:10pm

50 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Bowen gets his first touches of this second period and he manages to win a corner down West Ham’s right, with Canvot blocking his cross.

It’s the West Ham skipper to deliver the set-piece and it’s Canvot in the way once more, heading it behind for another corner at the near post. The second corner is a poor one from Bowen. 

09:08pm

48 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

It’s a scrappy opening few minutes of this second half, with neither side able to get a real hold of the ball. 

09:05pm

46 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

We are back underway at Selhurst Park, with Palace kicking things off, going from right to left in this second period. 

There are no changes from either side at the break, though Strand Larsen is immediately down holding his head following an aerial duel with Disasi. He’ll be okay. 

09:04pm

West Ham with the better chances

Palace have created more chances but West Ham have created the better ones. Mads Hermansen in the Hammers goal has yet to be tested; Dean Henderson has already had to prove his worth.

09:03pm

Watch: Henderson denies Mavropanos

08:59pm

Even first half

It’s been an even opening period, with the sides creating a similar xG (0.55-0.52), while Palace have had five shots to West Ham’s four. 

The hosts are yet to trouble Hermansen, though, while West Ham have found the target twice. 

08:56pm

Henderson at the centre of things late on

Dean Henderson had been a prominent partier in Tuscany and it was his mistimed a punch that almost allowed Taty Castellanos to break the deadlock. The Palace keeper has Maxence Lacroix to thank that this one remains 0-0.

The England keeper soon made amends however with a superb stop to keep out Konstantinos Mavropanos’ header. “England’s No 1” chanted the home fans as West Ham’s Greece defender couldn’t believe he didn’t score.

08:49pm

Half-time: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

The half-time whistle is blown and it remains goalless at the break. 

08:46pm

45+1 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Mitchell breaks with pace down Palace’s left and opts to go alone, but the left wing-back drags his effort from the edge of the box wide of the right post. 

There will be four minutes added on at the end of this first half. 

08:45pm

45 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

The delivery from Bowen at the corner is a dangerous one but Crystal Palace just about deal with it.

West Ham keep the pressure on though, and Diouf sends a sublime cross into the area. Mavropanos meets it with a powerful header but Henderson makes a great save, reacting well to palm the effort away with a strong right hand. 

08:43pm

43 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Play eventually gets back underway with both Johnson and Diouf seemingly okay to continue. 

Pablo picks the pocket of Canvot down West Ham’s right and wins the corner with his cross turned behind by Lacroix. 

08:42pm

41 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Henderson makes a mess of a header into the area, just flapping at it, and the ball drops to Castellanos about 10 yards out but his bicycle kick is blocked crucially by Lacroix just before the line.

Moments later, there is a nasty clash of heads involving Johnson and Diouf, so there will be a lengthy pause here as both receive treatment.

08:39pm

39 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Strand Larsen gives away a foul for a push in the back of Diouf but after Mavropanos wins the initial header from the free-kick, a Palace defender can steer the ball away from danger.

As has been the case so often this season, it does feel the opener may well come from a set-piece.

08:37pm

36 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Hughes leaves a painful one on Summerville, just catching the left Achilles of the West Ham man. It appeared to be unintentional, but a sore one nonetheless.

It earns West Ham a free-kick in a promising position and while it’s a dangerous delivery towards the back post, the hosts are able to clear. 

08:33pm

33 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

It’s a mistake from Henderson as he lets the ball go out despite it taking a nick off a Palace foot, so it’s going to be a corner for West Ham down their right. 

The set-piece is headed half-clear but the ball is sent back into the danger-zone to Disasi, who spins before slicing an effort over the bar from six yards out. The flag goes up to spare the defender’s blushes. 

08:31pm

31 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Brennan Johnson won’t have a better chance to break his Palace scoring duck than that headed opportunity. 

Most Spurs fans were glad he was moved on in January despite that Europa League winning goal last season. They will be hoping he proves them wrong later on though.

08:30pm

30 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Summerville is fed into the left of the area and he looks to shift the ball onto his right foot to bend one into the far corner but Richards stands his ground well to make the block. 

08:28pm

27 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Richards gets away with one as Castellanos intercepts his pass back to Henderson but can’t quite bring it under his control.

Moments later, Palace break with pace through Pino as the winger drives into the West Ham half before chopping the ball inside to Johnson. The Welshman looks to bend one into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area, but it goes just wide of the mark.

It may have actually taken a nick off Mavropanos but a goal-kick is given.

08:24pm

24 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Munoz leaves a late one on Summerville, gifting West Ham a free-kick in a promising position down their left. 

Summerville’s delivery is whipped towards the back post but Henderson comes out well to claim it. 

Mitchell is just hobbling after a tackle on Walker-Peters so that will be one to keep an eye on. 

08:22pm

21 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Lerma swings a wicked ball into the area from the left but Johnson gets his header all wrong, getting far too much contact on it and sending it well wide of the left post.

That was comfortably the best chance of the match so far, with Johnson unmarked in a central position. 

Just moments later and Johnson chops down Diouf, earning himself a booking. A nightmare couple of minutes for the January signing. 

08:18pm

18 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Diouf feeds Castellanos into the left of the area but he makes a real mess of it and loses his footing, to the joy of the Palace fans. 

Down the other end, a quick throw from Munoz nearly puts Johnson in on goal but Soucek is able to shepherd the ball back to Hermansen. 

08:15pm

15 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Summerville skips past Hughes in midfield, sparking a slick West Ham move that takes them to the edge of the Palace area.

Castellanos creates room for the shot but fires his effort over the bar. The first real opening of the match.

08:13pm

13 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Palace have the opportunity to counter but Fernandes is once again well-positioned to snuff out the danger. The former Southampton man has started well. 

Richards launches another throw into the area, from the left this time, but once again, it’s dealt with comfortably by West Ham.

08:10pm

10 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Johnson is found in a pocket of space in the West Ham half but Fernandes does superbly to get back and make the tackle before drawing the foul. 

Down the other end, both West Ham full-backs have the chance to deliver a cross into the box but Walker-Peters’ is headed away before Diouf’s sails over everyone. 

08:08pm

7 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Canvot drives forward with some confidence and Bowen can only trip the young centre-back, who has made a strong start.

Palace then build a nice move down their left and Strand Larsen is picked out with a low ball towards the near post but his attempted flicked finish goes wide of the left upright. 

08:06pm

6 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Summerville latches onto a loose ball and looks to dart into the area but he is denied by a superbly-timed tackle by Canvot.

West Ham are happy for Palace to knock the ball about their defence in these opening stages, just settling into a solid 4-4-2 shape without the ball.  

08:04pm

4 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

Richards’ first long throw into the area is dealt with by West Ham but Palace are then able to settle into a comfortable spell of possession. 

Eventually, Pino runs into trouble and he gives away the foul as he looks to make amends. 

08:03pm

2 mins: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

It’s West Ham who start the stronger, with Walker-Peters breaking well down their right, but his promising cross into the box is headed away.

Johnson then goes marauding down Palace’s right with a driving surge forward, but a back-heel doesn’t come off and the visitors can get a foot in. 

08:00pm

1 min: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 0

We are underway at Selhurst Park, with West Ham and Fernandes kicking things off, going from right to left in this opening period. 

07:59pm

Party time at Selhurst Park

Palace have just played ‘(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)’ by the Beastie Boys. Perhaps they will record an Italo House version if they win the Conference League... 

Talking of Palace parties, chairman Steve Parish has just been presented with a replica FA Cup to mark last season’s Wembley win over Manchester City.

07:57pm

Here we go!

The teams have emerged from the tunnel with the sun setting over Selhurst Park. It’s a cracking atmosphere as usual in south London. 

07:56pm

Recent meetings

When the teams met at the London Stadium in September, it was Crystal Palace who ran out 2-1 winners, bringing about the sacking of Graham Potter.

The last meeting at Selhurst Park ended in a 2-0 win for West Ham, though that was all the way back in August 2024.

07:55pm

Kick-off approaching

We are just five minutes away from kick-off in south London. Here’s a reminder of how the teams line up tonight...

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvas; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Johnson, Strand Larsen, Pino.

Subs: Kamada, Sarr, Mateta, Benitez, Clyne, Sosa, Riad, Devenny, Cardines.

West Ham: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Bowen, Fernandes, Soucek, Summerville; Pablo; Castellanos.

Subs: Areola, Wilson, Traore, Todibo, Magassa, Wan-Bissaka, Scarles, Potts, Kante.

07:50pm

Palace finishing strongly despite European focus

Crystal Palace have picked up 13 points in their last seven Premier League games, having taken three from their previous nine.

07:47pm

‘Massive game for both teams’, says Mitchell

Crystal Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell has said:“Our aim is just to get as many points as possible, keep our run going and see where that takes us.

“West Ham are a team that right now are in good form and they need three points to move away from the relegation zone. So we know there’s a lot to play for, for them.

“For us, we want to get as high up that table as possible. So there’s a lot riding on it for us.

“I think it’s a massive game for both teams. We want to continue our momentum and they want to win to stay in the Premier League.

“So I think it’ll be a good game.”

07:44pm

The current standings

West Ham can create a four-point cushion above the drop zone with victory this evening. 

07:40pm

Promising stats for visitors

Crystal Palace have won only one of their last eight home Premier League London derbies, drawing twice in that time. 

Meanwhile, West Ham have won three of their last five Premier League away games against Palace, scoring at least twice in all of them.

07:36pm

‘We stopped talking about league positions’, says Glasner

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has said:“We stopped a few weeks ago, or maybe months, talking about league positions.

“We focused more on the way we are playing, on the football we want to show on the pitch, and this helped us to perform better.

“The consequence of this was that we got more points and more wins. I think this is what we need to keep until the end of the season.

“We’re not talking about the table because it’s so tight and things can happen. It can change quickly, so really our focus is on our football, what we want to do, what we have to do.

“And we want to feel this great energy and spirit – then we will see and at the end [of the season] we will get what we deserve.”

07:33pm

‘We can do something historic’, says Lacroix

Maxence Lacroix speaking to Sky Sports on Palace’s season: “We learned a lot with the games, we saw we have a lot of games a lot of minutes.

“I think it’s not only a group, it’s like a big family where everyone wants to fight for each other. We had a part where it was a bit difficult but now we’re on the way and we are happy where we are.”

On the turnaround since the start of the year, he said: “It’s totally different because now we don’t have players who are injured, when you have injured players, who are key players, it’s always difficult. The squad is full so we are ready to finish his year.”

On the Conference League run and position in the league, he said: “To be honest we have a lot to talk about with the European journey and the Premier League.

“But we take game-by-game, we are here to play against West Ham and want to win today, but we know we can do something historic in this club this season.”

07:28pm

‘Closing the gap hasn’t been easy’, says Wan-Bissaka

West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has said: “I think things are going well at the moment.

“Closing the gap over the last couple of months hasn’t been easy, but we’ve worked hard to get to where we are, and we want it to continue.

“We’ve had to show that we’re strong and together, and that we’re all behind each other as a team. There’s been a lot of pressure, but we’ve kept the focus on us, gone into games with the mentality of winning, and we’ve just got to keep that going now.

“The mood around the place is good, and the boys are feeling good. Within the defence and the whole team we always try to push each other, and we’re getting the rewards. We know we just have to continue doing that.”

Forward Taty Castellanos added: “It’s a tough match, just like any other. They’re a strong side at home too, but we’re feeling confident.

“We’ve got a squad where everyone’s fit, and that’s important. Confidence is key. We need to stick together and stay united right now.”

07:25pm

Strand Larsen for Mateta a sign of Palace depth

Adam Wharton’s absence from the Palace starting line-up is no surprise given that he came off hurt at Fiorentina but Maxence Lacroix’s name on the team-sheet is a boost for Oliver Glasner’s side given he also had to be substituted on Thursday night following a collision with team-mate Daniel Munoz. 

Swapping Jorgen Strand Larsen for Jean-Philippe Mateta shows the depth Palace have up front these days but West Ham picking an unchanged side is no surprise. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team have found form – and stability at the back – at just the right time.

Jorgen Strand Larsen returns to the Crystal Palace side - Steve Bardens/Getty Images07:22pm

The scene in south London

The atmosphere builds at Selhurst Park - Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesWest Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo arrives - Jordan Pettitt/PA07:19pm

West Ham’s upturn in form in 2026

West Ham have won five of their last 11 Premier League matches. Since 17 January, only four teams have picked up more points or scored more goals.

Meanwhile, only Bruno Fernandes (10) has more Premier League assists than Jarrod Bowen (seven in 13 games) since the turn of the year. 

07:14pm

Palace offer threats from ‘all over the place’, says Nuno

Looking ahead to the challenge posed by Crystal Palace, Nuno said they have threats coming from “all over the place”.

He added: “They are a very good team. The shape and idea is really established and that brought a lot of success last season. They continue to perform well and have individual players with a lot of talent.”

07:08pm

‘A lot of work to do’, insists Nuno

Discussing the mood in the squad after the win over Wolves, West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo told reporters this week: “We’re working hard. The atmosphere is good, focused and getting ready for Monday. 

“I don’t think there is a risk [of complacency]. It’s positive after a good performance and helps in terms of preparation. We will make sure we are focused on what we have to do.”

On climbing out of the drop zone, he said: “It’s much better when you see but nothing has changed really. We still have six games to go - a lot of work to do.”

Whether playing last this weekend out of the teams in the relegation battle is an advantage, he said: “We have to focus on ourselves. We cannot control what happens at the other stadiums.”

07:01pm

European hangover for Palace?

Much has been made – mainly by Tottenham fans – of the Crystal Palace squad partying into the night in Florence after clinching a Europa Conference League semi-final spot on Thursday night. 

The Spurs supporters may have a point given that their players celebrated wildly winning the Europa League at the end of last term – and still don’t seem to have recovered... 

06:57pm

Wharton absent after Conference League injury

So, it appears to be a slightly weakened Palace side following their European exploits, though Wharton’s omission is seemingly an enforced one after he made way in the first half in Florence with an abductor issue.

Speaking after the game last Thursday, Palace boss Glasner told TNT Sports: “Adam is an abductor [injury], like when he had to leave the England camp. Let’s see, it doesn’t look so serious but we have to assess him further.”

Adam Wharton makes way with an adductor injury - Jennifer Lorenzini/Reuters06:53pm

Those teams in full

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvas; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Johnson, Strand Larsen, Pino. 

Subs: Kamada, Sarr, Mateta, Benitez, Clyne, Sosa, Riad, Devenny, Cardines. 

West Ham: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Bowen, Fernandes, Soucek, Summerville; Pablo; Castellanos. 

Subs: Areola, Wilson, Traore, Todibo, Magassa, Wan-Bissaka, Scarles, Potts, Kante.

06:50pm

West Ham team news - unchanged from Wolves win

Nuno Espirito Santo has named an unchanged West Ham team following their victory over Wolves last time out. 

06:47pm

Crystal Palace team news - Glasner makes four changes

Oliver Glasner has made four changes to his Crystal Palace team following the second leg against Fiorentina, bringing in Hughes, Lerma, Johnson and Strand Larsen to replace Kamada, Wharton, Sarr and Mateta.

06:44pm

Team news coming up

We will be able to bring you the starting line-ups of the two teams very shortly... 

06:42pm

Wolves on brink of Championship return

A result for West Ham this evening would confirm Wolves’ relegation to the Championship, with Rob Edwards’ side currently 15 points adrift of safety with five games left to play.

Wolves have failed to lift themselves from the foot of the table under Rob Edwards - Mike Egerton/PA06:38pm

The relegation battle

West Ham can take a big step towards safety this evening, but a tricky few fixtures will follow...

06:33pm

West Ham with chance to create breathing room above Spurs

Good evening and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of Crystal Palace vs West Ham United from Selhurst Park, with the visitors hoping to take a big stride towards Premier League safety.

When West Ham were beaten 3-0 by bottom-of-the-table Wolves at the start of January, the east London side’s top-flight status appeared under significant threat, as they were left four points adrift of safety and – unremarkably at the time – 12 points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, who had a game in hand.

Since then, though, Spurs have failed to win any of their 14 league games under three different managers, while West Ham have slowly started to click under Nuno Espirito Santo. Now, tonight’s match offers the former Spurs boss and his team the chance to establish a four-point cushion above the north London side and the relegation zone.

West Ham have found a spell of form at the right time, taking seven points from the last 12 available, most recently enjoying a thumping 4-0 win over Wolves – a useful indication of their progress since the turn of the year.

They face a Crystal Palace side, who may well have one eye on their Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk, with little to play for domestically. Oliver Glasner’s men sealed a 4-2 aggregate victory over Fiorentina in the quarter-finals of Europe’s third-tier competition last Thursday in the club’s first campaign on the continent.

After a turbulent season, with captain Marc Guehi departing to Manchester City, a disgruntled Glasner confirming he will leave in the summer, and a calamitous FA Cup exit, the chance of European glory at the end of it – and successive years of major silverware – will undoubtedly be the priority for the south London side.

However, Palace do come into this evening’s game having picked up seven points from their last three league games, with wins over Newcastle United and Spurs in that time.

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