West Ham are tantalisingly close to a European return after they came from behind to beat relegated West Brom in the Premier League at The Hawthorns.

David Moyes' side are guaranteed at least seventh place - and a spot in the new Europa Conference League play-off round - unless results go against them significantly on Sunday.

A point at home to Southampton would ensure sixth spot and a place in the Europa League group stage. It would also mark their highest position since 1999.

West Brom already knew they would be playing Championship football next season - but will be doing so without Sam Allardyce. The Baggies boss confirmed after the game that he would not be staying on next term.

Victory did not come easily for the Hammers, with Declan Rice missing a first-half penalty before Matheus Pereira gave West Brom the lead.

Tomas Soucek levelled before half-time with his 10th goal of the season, but the hosts continued to carry a threat.

Angelo Ogbonna nodded West Ham in front eight minutes from time, though, before Michail Antonio finished the Baggies off at the end.

From relegation candidates to European contenders

Moyes has effected a remarkable transformation at London Stadium over the past 12 months. With two games left of last season, there was still a possibility they would end up in the Championship.

Soucek's impact has been immense. But the Czech is not on his own.

Jesse Lingard's arrival from Manchester United during the January transfer window gave the Hammers impetus, while Antonio has justified his manager's decision not to bring in a mid-season striking reinforcement.

But West Ham fans will worry whether anyone will come in with a significant bid for Rice.

The England midfielder keeps the Hammers moving in his unfussy, mature way and not even a missed penalty could put him off on Wednesday.

Rice struck his effort confidently enough after goalkeeper Sam Johnstone had taken down Antonio, who had seized on Semi Ajayi's terrible backpass. But it crashed back to safety off Johnstone's right-hand post.

That was after two minutes and four seconds of play, meaning Rice enters the history books for the earliest penalty miss in a Premier League match.

Aaron Cresswell's inspired free-kick, when he caught Johnstone out of position and rattled the outside of a post, was the visitors' best effort until Ogbonna struck, with his first goal since December, to give West Ham a priceless advantage.

"We have been playing really well, but in this game we did not play really well - but it shows we can win in other ways," Moyes said.

"I am delighted but it is not done. I will go away and sit back and enjoy it and look at the permutations. We have to win our game and then there is no danger.

"Overall we have earned it this year [to be in a position for European football] but we have a bit to do yet and hopefully we can get over the line."
Allardyce's decision indicates tough times ahead

Sam Allardyce's decision not to see out the final year of his contract says quite a lot about the financial clout West Brom have to mount an immediate promotion challenge.

The former England boss said a few weeks ago that he didn't want to be "messing around" if he did drop down to the Championship. Evidently, the odds were not to his liking.

Quite apart from the loan players who will not be returning, Johnstone and Pereira are likely to be the subject of top-flight interest.

The West Brom fans told Pereira "we want you to stay" and his goal, a dangerous corner that was on target when Soucek flicked it in, underlined why.

Pereira nearly had another with a stinging effort that was well saved by Darren Randolph, a late replacement for first-choice Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski, who was injured in the warm-up.

Ajeyi might have put the hosts back in front with a close-range effort Randolph saved with his chest but this was another of those games where West Brom put themselves in a good position to get a result only to let it slip by the end.

Soucek equals Nolan's record - the stats

West Ham have picked up 31 points in away matches this season, their most on the road in a single top-flight campaign since 1985-86 (also 31).
West Brom conceded 39 goals at home in league competition this season, their worst defensive performance at home in a single league campaign.
West Ham boss David Moyes has now won each of his past eight Premier League meetings with Sam Allardyce.
When converting to three-points-per-win all-time, only in 1890-91 (10) and 2002-03 (14) have West Brom earned fewer points at home than this season (15).
West Ham have failed to score four of their last eight penalties in the Premier League that weren't taken by Mark Noble, while Noble has converted each of his last 10 in the competition.
Matheus Pereira has been directly involved in 17 goals in the Premier League this season (11 goals, six assists), the most by a West Brom player in a single campaign since Romelu Lukaku in 2012-13 (21).
Matheus Pereira's 11 Premier League goals for West Brom have all been scored with his left foot - only Stuart Pearce (20/20) has scored more goals in the competition entirely with his left foot.
Tomas Soucek has netted 10 goals for West Ham in the Premier League this season, the most by a midfielder for the club in a single campaign since Kevin Nolan in 2012-13 (also 10).
West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell has assisted eight Premier League goals this season, the most of any defender - each of the last three have been for headers at corners.

What next?

West Brom play their last Premier League game for at least a season at Leeds. West Ham entertain Southampton at London Stadium. Both matches are on Sunday, 23 May (16:00 BST).