It was a good day for West Ham in the Premier League this afternoon as the end of the campaign draws ever nearer.
With United not playing until Monday night when they visit Liverpool, the key games in this afternoon's programme were Hull's trip to Birmingham and Burnley's visit to Sunderland. Both sides started the day four points behind the Hammers (Hull with a game in hand).A spirited fightback from the Clarets wasn't enough to prevent them falling to a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland. Frazier Campbell and Darren Bent put the Black Cats two goals in the clear ahead of the half-time break before substitute Steven Thompson gave Burnley a fighting chance with an 81st minute close range effort. A flurry of late corners for the visitors failed to come to anything leaving Brian Laws' side on 27 points from 35 games.
Over in the Midlands it was a far closer affair between the two Citys, mid-table Birmingham and Hull, desperate for a result following last weekend's capitulation at the hands of relegation rivals Burnley.
Despite being the better side for much of the 90 minutes Iain Dowie's team failed to make the vital breakthrough and had to settle for a point that leaves them three points behind West Ham, but with a far inferior goal difference. Both sides had opportunities to grab all three points at St Andrews but in the end a point had to suffice.
In other games, Bolton ensured that they will be playing Premier League football once again next season by virtue of a 2-1 win at Stoke. The bottom of the table tonight now looks as follows...
How it stands
How they saw it - the opposition view
The Burnley view (claretsturf.co.uk)
"It wasn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination and after going a goal down so early on I was thinking Man City (1-6) all over again. But how wrong I was. The fight, belief and commitment the team showed has to be commended - I just wonder why it has taken until we are on the verge of relegation for them to show what Burnley FC are all about. Here's hoping it continues for the remaining 4 games." - Chris Yates
The Hull view (ambernectar.org)
"We didn't lose, that with our side is as good as it gets. A half decent performance, but why play with one up front?" - cartoonhead
"More spirit and fight I suppose but unfortunately the same quality, everywhere. A draw against Villa will be more of a result and if results go our way tomorrow puts pressure on others. " - bristolsteve
"Too little too late im afraid. Good effort today but we didn't test the keeper enough and I still think we are going down." - jonnythetiger
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