BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — West Ham stayed on course for a Europa League spot with a 3-1 win over already relegated West Bromwich Albion, whose manager Sam Allardyce announced after Wednesday's game that he would step down.
Allardyce said he turned down an offer from the club to remain in charge of the club for their return to the Championship.
In a statement released shortly after the loss, Allardyce said: “West Bromwich Albion made me a generous offer to stay at The Hawthorns that shows the commitment of an ambitious club. After serious consideration I have decided not to accept that offer.”
Allardyce was hired in December with the club in 19th place, but couldn’t avoid having his team relegated from the Premier League for the first tim in his managerial career.
David Moyes' West Ham, meanwhile, goes into the final game of the season against Southampton knowing a point will confirm a Europa League spot after coming from behind at The Hawthorns. West Brom took the lead after West Ham's Declan Rice missed a third-minute penalty and Tomas Soucek scored an own goal.
Soucek leveled before the break, with Angelo Ogbonna and Michail Antonio scoring late to secure the win.
West Ham is in sixth place, three points ahead of Tottenham and Everton, following a remarkable turnaround after they finished 16th and survived by five points last season.
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