When Tomas Soucek's effort grazed the post in the final stages of West Ham United's defeat at Brentford on Saturday afternoon, their supporters could’ve been forgiven for exchanging exasperated looks.
The 3-0 scoreline at Gtech Community Stadium may point to a comfortable victory for Keith Andrews’ Europe-chasing side, but it tells only half the story.
Victory would have lifted West Ham five points clear of the bottom three, but instead they have left the door ajar for Tottenham to leapfrog them with victory at Aston Villa on Sunday night.
The Hammers currently remain two points above Spurs, but Roberto de Zerbi's side have a game in hand and are nine goals healthier in terms of goal difference.
"We had chances, we hit the post twice, we hit the bar and we hit the post again," captain Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports. "It's really disappointing. We had good opportunities.
"On another day we would have got the win. We have done a lot of good things."
But if Tottenham win at Villa Park, it would leave them in the driving seat – just – to avoid the drop.
It would also leave West Ham hoping for a result against title-chasing Arsenal, who are six points clear at the top of the table and have plundered 11 goals on their previous two league visits to London Stadium.
After facing Aston Villa, Tottenham's next game is at home to a Leeds United side who have lost their past five league meetings against the north London club.
So although the form book often means little as the battle for survival reaches its climax, Brentford's win could prove pivotal for West Ham and Spurs.
In an interview on West Ham United’s website, Nuno Espirito Santo urged his players to respond against Arsenal and called on the fans to play their part.
"Let's realise that how we react from a bad day is going to keep us alive in this [relegation] fight," the head coach said.
"We have been asking our fans for their support and our fans are giving back. They are disappointed with us [after this result], but we need them more than ever."
