MX23RW : Friday, May 24 07:59:50| >> :120:50697:50697:
[monks data]
Attendance: 25,031
West Brom logo
Premier League
Apr 30, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
West Ham logo

0-3

FT(HT: 0-2)
Kouyate (34'), Noble (45', 79')

Slaven Bilic: European football "a realistic target" for West Ham United

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic admits that, while it will be tough to hold down fifth place, playing European football next term is now a realistic prospect.

Slaven Bilic has insisted that a place in Europe next season is now West Ham United's to lose after Saturday's comfortable victory away at West Bromwich Albion.

The Hammers put three past their opponents without reply at The Hawthorns to move into fifth in the Premier League, although Manchester United can climb back up one place with a win against Leicester City on Sunday.

Liverpool and Southampton are also still in the race for a Europa League berth, but Bilic knows that nailing down the position is now in West Ham's hands as they host the Red Devils before the season is out.

"Now a European spot is a realistic target for us," he is quoted as saying by ESPN. "It wasn't at the beginning of the season but we're not going to deny it or be big-headed.

"Unfortunately it's not safe still and the gap between us and Liverpool and Southampton is less than the gap to the Champions League. We are talking about Europe, it's all in our hands and it's very simple. You don't have to be a genius to do it.

"If we beat Swansea City our target is going to be closer for us and then we have a game against Manchester United. That is and was our approach from the start of the season and it's the only logical approach. There's no point to calculate but we are in good form."

As well as facing Man United and Swansea, West Ham - who crashed out of the Europa League last year at the qualification stage - must also travel to Stoke City on the final day.

ID:271740: cacheID:271740:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2439:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
 Slaven Bilic looks on prior to the Premier League match between Norwich City and West Ham United on February 13, 2016
Read Next:
Bilic: 'We could miss out on Europa'
>
Read more about Slaven Bilic Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!