West Ham United's top flight survival hopes are hanging by a complete thread following a bruising 3-1 defeat away at Newcastle United. Newcastle forward William Osula proved to be the ultimate destroyer by scoring a ruthless brace at St James' Park. The shambolic defensive display leaves the London club perilously close to automatic relegation to the Championship. 

Tactical errors plagued West Ham from the opening whistle as manager Nuno Espírito Santo's experimental back three configuration failed immediately. Record signing Nick Woltemade exploited the massive gaps to put Newcastle up 2-0 within the first 26 minutes. Though Nuno quickly reverted to a traditional back four line, the psychological damage was already done. 

Following the match, a visibly dejected Nuno stated that the squad owes the traveling fans "respect and dignity". In other Sunday match action, Sunderland thrashed Everton 3-1 through late strikes from Antoine Le Fee and Wilson Isidor. Elsewhere, Leeds United snatched a dramatic 96th minute 1-0 win over Brighton via a Dominic Calvert Lewin header.