West Ham are on the brink of relegation from the Premier League after it fell to a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Nuno Espirito Santo's team travelled to Tyneside knowing a victory would lift them above Tottenham and into 17th place, while any other result would raise the prospect of it being relegated as early as Wednesday.

A dismal start left the Hammers with too much of a mountain to climb as Newcastle went 2-0 up inside 19 minutes.

A loose pass out from Mads Hermansen led to the opening goal in the 15th minute, as Harvey Barnes scampered down the right to pick out Nick Woltemade, who applied the finishing touch on the volley for his first league goal since Christmas.

The second goal was a thing of beauty as a one-touch move involving Kieran Trippier, who was playing his final home game for Newcastle, Barnes, Bruno Guimaraes and Jacob Ramsey released William Osula one-v-one. 

He made no mistake with a left-footed finish, leaving a furious Nuno to introduce Valentin Castellanos and ditch his 3-4-3 system only 26 minutes in.

Castellanos and El Hadji Malick Diouf worked Nick Pope before the first half was through, but Newcastle got its goal 20 minutes into the second period.

Osula tucked into an open goal after exchanging passes with Joe Willock.

Castellanos reduced the arrears with a glorious lob from outside the area four minutes later, and the Argentine's next chance saw him rattle the angle of post and crossbar.

But West Ham was unable to force a grandstand finish, and it may be relegated even before hosting Leeds United next Monday.

Realistically, given its inferior goal difference, it needs to win that match and hope Spurs lose each of their last two.