Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Mon 6 April 2026 11:20, UK

West Ham United endured FA Cup heartbreak on Sunday, but the defeat to Leeds on penalties did prove this side has a strong mentality.

A chance for a semi-final at Wembley slipped past the Hammers, and Nuno Espirito Santo’s impressive quarter-final record has also vanished.

However, the Portuguese manager will be pleased with what he saw his players give at London Stadium.

The battle to survive can be mentally exhausting, with every dropped point crucial and feeling like a heavy blow.

But as West Ham lost to Leeds, one thing became very clear about this batch of Hammers players.

West Ham’s comeback shows Nuno’s squad will not give up

Just a few months ago, it looked destined that the Irons would go down with few positives to take away from their performances and points struggling to arrive.

However, Nuno was able to turn things around in the new year, and survival prospects look as good as they have ever been this season.

The mentality to put on a strong run of results and provide West Ham with an inkling of a chance to stay up was hugely important.

Now, despite West Ham exiting the FA Cup, that resilience was once again on show. Being 2-0 down with just 11 minutes of added time to go, many outfits would have given up.

However, not this West Ham side. Two goals from Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi sent London Stadium wild as the comeback was completed after just six minutes past the 90.

The never-say-die attitude will be an invaluable asset, and thanks to the turnaround in the cup, it shows that the turn of form since the new year has not been a fluke.

Rather, it is an exemplary aspect of the culture. Nuno is building amid the relegation battle.

West Ham have seven finals to go

It is a cliché to refer to West Ham’s remaining games as “finals”, but there is no better word to describe them.

The Hammers currently sit in 18th place, just one point behind Tottenham. Nuno cannot afford to let the Lilywhites’ gap grow, and each game is assuredly a must-win moving forward.

If the Irons’ return to Premier League action has a slow start, then Spurs could begin to feel confident about their chances.

Nuno has a chance to put the pressure on their London rivals, with West Ham’s game against Wolves arriving on Friday, 10 April.

It is the first match of the gameweek, with Spurs playing on Sunday against Sunderland. By the time that fixture comes around, Tottenham could be in the relegation zone.

It remains to be seen if West Ham’s relegation rivals can deal with that pressure.