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Sam Allardyce gave his West Ham players a four-day break ahead of tomorrow’s title decider at Manchester City.

Liverpool need the Hammers to beat the Premier League leaders to have any chance of being crowned champions.

However, after confirming their top-flight status by beating Spurs a week ago, West Ham had a warm-down on Sunday and only returned to training yesterday. The players were at the club’s annual awards dinner at a Park Lane hotel in London on Tuesday night.

Allardyce said: “It was a little motivation by me before the game – beat Tottenham and you will have a few days off to spend with your family and get ready for this day.

“We had lost four on the trot. I wanted to make sure our last home game would be something we could all enjoy and remember. It was a little teaser for the lads.

“You don’t need any training now. We can’t be any fitter than we are. We can rest and come back in fresh.

(Image: Christopher Lee)

“Our minds are clear, we’re looking forward to the game and we’re getting ready to go to plan our tactics against a team that is trying to win the Premier League.”

West Ham have conceded 12 goals in losing three times to City this season, including a 6-0 thrashing at the Etihad in the Capital One Cup semi-final in January.

City need just a point to clinch the title but Irons boss Allardyce said: “From a neutral’s point of view, I think everybody would like to see Liverpool win it.

(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

“From a personal point of view, I’d like to see Steven Gerrard win it.

“It’s the one thing he hasn’t achieved for Liverpool, but obviously they’ve let it slip out of their hands.

“On form and where they are, Manchester City are the favourites.

“But every West Ham player can go and give his best because we know we’re safe in the league, so let’s go and spoil Manchester City’s party.”

Allardyce has his critics among sections of the Upton Park faithful, but the club yesterday insisted no decision had been made about his future as manager.

A meeting on Tuesday will clarify his position. Allardyce added: “I have more ambition than West Ham ever has – I have more ambition than them. Or the same ambition as them.”

Gus Poyet, whose job as Sunderland boss is in doubt, has emerged as the new favourite to replace Allardyce.