West Ham United's 14-year tenure in the Premier League concluded on a bittersweet afternoon at the London Stadium, as the Hammers secured a comfortable victory over Leeds United only to suffer the devastation of relegation due to events unfolding seven miles away at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite emerging triumphant through goals from Taty Castellanos, Jarrod Bowen, and substitute Callum Wilson, Nuno Santo's side were condemned to Championship football next season after Spurs secured a one-nil win against a sorry Everton side who hadn't won in eight games.

For long stretches of a sweltering afternoon in 30-degree heat, the home side's chances appeared dim both on and off the pitch. The lethargic Hammers struggled to impose themselves against a Leeds side that had already secured their survival two weeks prior. The moment the home faithful had been praying for arrived in the 67th minute when Castellanos met Bowen's corner delivery at the back post, powering a header past Darlow to ignite genuine hope throughout East London. That optimism intensified eleven minutes from time when Bowen himself drove a precisely angled finish into the far corner. Wilson slotted a third in stoppage time.

To say Farke's side were far from their best would be an understatement. The display carried the hallmarks of a side running on empty, with players appearing to go through the motions for much of the contest. Leeds were critically depleted by injuries to key personnel, leaving Farke with a squad that could fairly be described as the walking wounded. It's a credit to the Leeds medical staff and coaches that the players have reached the finish line, albeit with an empty tank.

Footballers frequently face criticism regarding their remuneration, but in the case of Leeds United's support staff, physiotherapists, coaches, and players this season, there can be little dispute that every single one of them thoroughly earned their wages through a campaign defined by perseverance in the face of adversity. Their survival, achieved through determination and collective spirit, stood in stark contrast to the well documented goings on at other clubs.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
	26	Darlow, Karl Goalkeeper			6.0
	2	Bogle, Jayden Defender			5.0
	24	Justin, James Defender			6.0
	5	Struijk, Pascal Defender			6.5
	15	Bijol, Jaka Defender			★7.0
	6	Rodon, Joe Defender			5.5
	4	Ampadu, Ethan Midfielder			6.5
	22	Tanaka, Ao Midfielder			5.5
	11	Aaronson, Brenden Midfielder			4.5
	14	Nmecha, Lukas Forward			4.0
	9	Calvert-Lewin, Dominic Forward			4.5
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
	1	Perri, Lucas Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
	23	Bornauw, Sebastiaan Defender			6.5
	40	Buonanotte, Facundo Midfielder			6.0
	25	Byram, Sam Defender		Unused Sub
	47	Chadwick, Rhys Midfielder		Unused Sub
	51	Cresswell, Alfie Midfielder		Unused Sub
	29	Gnonto, Wilfried Midfielder			4.5
	7	James, Daniel Midfielder			3.5
	10	Piroe, Joel Forward			4.5