In the Premier League survival battle, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur all were victorious as the race for top-flight safety intensified.
With four games to go in the season, Premier League relegation has already been confirmed for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley.
However, the final spot will certainly be one that will go down to the wire, as teams like Spurs, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and even teams higher up like Leeds United, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are still not safe from relegation.
With that being said, the three protagonists in the Premier League survival battle all picked up vital wins at the weekend in their bids to avoid relegation.
Premier League Survival Battle: Nottingham Forest Smash Five Past Sunderland
In the Friday night fixture, Nottingham Forest travelled to Sunderland as one of the most in-form teams in the league, with Vitor Pereira’s men creating some breathing space between themselves and the drop zone.
From the off, the Reds looked like a team that isn’t fighting relegation, but rather a confident outfit that should be pushing for Europe.
Possibly their UEFA Europa League run is rubbing off on them in the Premier League survival battle, as they sliced through the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light.
The scoring started in the 17th minute as Trai Hume’s own goal put Forest in front and saw their tails go up instantly.
In a mad six-minute spell, Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus all found themselves on the scoresheet as the Reds were 4-0 up at the break.
An emotional Elliot Anderson added to the scoring in added time in the second half, rounding out a five-star Forest as they extended their gap to the drop zone.
Premier League Survival Battle: Spurs Get Their First Win In 2026
On Saturday afternoon, already-relegated Wolves welcomed winless Spurs as Roberto De Zerbi looked to get his first win as manager after failing to do so against Brighton & Hove Albion in their last fixture.
An even clash between two poor sides saw Tottenham dealt with more injury blows as Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons had to come off, adding to the numerous injuries for the Lilywhites.
Even with those injuries, Spurs were able to drive forward and search for a breakthrough against bottom-of-the-league Wolves.
In the 82nd minute, the goal was found after a corner saw Richarlison’s shot/pass find Joao Palhinha, who slid the ball past Jose Sa and into the net.
As the game ended at the Molineux, Spurs were out of the relegation zone as Everton levelled the game against West Ham, as De Zerbi and his men celebrated a first win in 2026.
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Premier League Survival Battle: West Ham Leave It Late To Stay Above Drop Zone
In one of the other Saturday 3pm kick-offs, the Hammers welcomed European football-chasing Everton to the London Stadium as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men knew that a win was a must.
The game began steadily in the first half, and it wasn’t until the second half that the floodgates were opened and the mood changed.
West Ham drew first blood in the 51st minute as Tomas Soucek popped up with a goal following an assist from captain Jarrod Bowen.
With two minutes of normal time to go, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fired the ball past Mads Hermansen to equalise for the Toffees.
However, in added time, Callum Wilson came to haunt Everton once more, with an assist from Bowen, firing West Ham in front and above the drop zone at the full-time whistle.
Premier League Survival Battle: Current State Of Affairs
Out of the three Premier League relegation-battling protagonists, Nottingham Forest hold the upper hand with a five-point buffer over Spurs in the relegation zone and a three-point buffer over 17th-placed West Ham.
The Hammers, meanwhile, are two points clear of Tottenham, but have a poorer goal difference, which makes them needing to get positive results in their remaining fixtures.
Spurs, compared to the other two sides, face a tough run-in with games against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton to come.
For Forest, they have UEFA Europa League action to contend with, alongside games against Chelsea, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Bournemouth in the Premier League.
West Ham face a trip to Brentford and Newcastle, with home fixtures against Arsenal and Leeds in their run-in, as the Premier League survival battle looks to be going down to the wire.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 24.04.2026
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