Saturday 17 March 2018 19:53, UK
Alan Pardew was tight-lipped on West Bromwich Albion's survival hopes after his side lost 2-1 to Bournemouth on Saturday.
The visitors had appeared on course for just a second win in 29 Premier League games after Jay Rodriguez's 49th-minute opener at the Vitality Stadium.
However, two goals in the final 13 minutes on the south coast gave Bournemouth all three points, while West Brom remain rooted to foot of the table, 10 points from safety with only seven games left this campaign.
"I don't know - it's getting more and more difficult," said Pardew when asked whether the club can avoid the drop.
"It's just galling for the fans and the players today as it was a real committed effort to try and get something. It was really hard on our players - they put in an unbelievable effort.
"It's tough for us as it's been one of those seasons where nothing has gone right - the players have worked really hard and it's difficult to look them in the eye when they've got no reward for it.
"They'll be walking out of here injured animals as they didn't deserve that."
The visitors were not helped either by the loss of influential centre-back Jonny Evans to injury seconds before Jordan Ibe levelled matters.
"It was unfortunate to lose Jonny Evans at that stage - he just couldn't move, he'd been ill all week," said Pardew. "He cramped up - I think he if stayed on we would have won."
