West Ham succumb to relegation despite convincing final day triumph over Leeds

A cautious start to the game was expected given the circumstances, and the tension among the majority inside the London Stadium was evident on the pitch. Indeed, it was the visitors who created the first opportunity when Lukas Nmecha's effort went well wide of the target in the seventh minute.

The Hammers lacked urgency, and the crowd expressed their frustration as they didn't create their first chance until the 16th minute, when Pablo's half-volley inside the box was headed over the bar by Pascal Struijk.

In the 23rd minute, Nuno Espirito Santo's men finally registered their first shot on target, with Mateus Fernandes' strike from distance forcing Karl Darlow into a save.

A moment of brilliance from Fernandes was a rare highlight for West Ham during a disappointing first half, and they were nearly behind when Mads Hermansen quickly rushed out to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin's shot from close range in the 35th minute.

The Englishman, who has 14 Premier League goals this season, then saw his powerful strike blocked by Konstantinos Mavropanos before James Justin hit the side netting from Calvert-Lewin's pass.

Leeds had already secured their survival with a win against Burnley in April, but they looked more likely to score until the hosts created two chances just before half-time.

First, Taty Castellanos saw his header sail over the bar before El Hadji Malick Diouf's cross found Pablo, who struck the side netting from a tight angle.

Nuno made a substitution at halftime, bringing on Callum Wilson for Pablo, and the veteran made an immediate impact shortly after the break. He played a clever through ball to Taty, but the striker stumbled in the box, resulting in a weak shot.

After missing several chances, Taty finally scored in the 66th minute, heading Jarrod Bowen's corner past Darlow to give West Ham a crucial lead.

The hosts continued to dominate, and Bowen extended their advantage 12 minutes from time.

West Ham's captain latched onto Fernandes' superb through ball before expertly finishing from a tight angle with his weaker right foot.

Wilson then sealed the victory in stoppage time with a powerful strike from the edge of the box after missing an easier chance moments earlier.

Despite an improved second-half performance and three goals, the Hammers were relegated as Tottenham's 1-0 win over Everton confirmed their fate.

This means West Ham will play in the Championship for the first time since the 2011/12 season. As for Leeds, a 14th-place finish in the Premier League and an FA Cup semi-final appearance mark a successful return to England's top flight.