ALBION 1 WEST HAM 1

Danny Welbeck is unhappy about Albion not finishing the job.

Finishing the job against West Ham after an incisive move gave them an 84th-minute lead.

And finishing the job in terms of securing their own Premier League status for next season.

He would rather they had sorted things themselves than have to wait for West Brom and Fulham to lose about this time last week.

The former England striker showed expertise in his movement and finish as he combined to perfection with Percy Tau against the Hammers.

It was the sort of poise in front of goal Albion have so often lacked during this season of progress but also frustration and unfulfilled potential.

Graham Potter was again asked about Welbeck’s contractual situation during post-match interviews but we know the score. His future will be sorted when the season is over.

Welbeck was disappointed to see another lead slip away although West Ham deserved a point and their third equaliser against the Seagulls this season was also of high quality as Said Benrahma curled home from outside the box.

That Welbeck is talking about there being more to come from himself and the squad could be seen as a hint he might stay around.

The hope will be his concern for their longer-term progress suggests a feeling he will still be here.

Of course Albion’s 38 points, which will be comfortably enough to stay up, were gathered by their own merits.

But the chances of a finish higher than 17th have decreased.

“It’s kind of disappointing,” Welbeck said of the manner in which safety was confirmed.

“We would have liked to have done it ourselves, not rely on other teams.

“I think with the group of players we have, it’s not one of those squads where we should be thinking about relegation.

“We should be looking further up the table.

“It’s just those small differences in games.

“It’s the harsh reality of the Premier League.

“As a group we have got to gather together, analyse the games, analyse the performances, talk about the positives and the negatives and where we can improve.

“We’ve obviously set a baseline standard now and I think there’s a lot more we can do.

“In training every single day we have got to be at it.

“It’s not just one session, it’s every single day.”

Seeing leads slip way is still a frustration although Potter also pointed out the merits of going ahead in the first place.

Albion could easily have been the team needing to come from behind after living very dangerously late in the first half.

But a rather different line-up to usual - with Lewis Dunk, Neal Maupay and Joel Veltman all out – responded pleasingly in the second half.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh was a threat on the right as he continued his lengthy quest to make a serious Premier League impact.

He twice tested Lukasz Fabianski with what were either crosses or shots and then was agonisingly close to scoring from a tough angle after Aaron Cresswell failed to deal with Dan Burn’s crossfield ball.

There were some decent performances, including Ben White at the back and the recalled midfielder Steven Alzate.

And, of course, from Yves Bissouma, despite picking up an early booking when he caught Jesse Lingard.

A second false step by Bissouma would have ended his season and, in theory, could have been his final act in an Albion shirt, depending on what happens with him this summer.

But that yellow did not weigh on his shoulders and he was a big part of how Albion kept the Euro-hopeful Hammers subdued in the second half.

When they did strike, Bissouma was a touch unlucky to see his clearance hit Adam Lallana to revive an attack which had seemingly fizzled out.

Lallana, on for the final quarter, started the move for the Albion goal with a pass which took out two opponents before Tau’s delivery eliminated three more.

Welbeck did the rest, drifting in from the left with the sort of work which is catching attention.

LISTEN: HOW PERCY TAU GOT THROUGH TOUGH TIMES

Match Of The Day pundit Leon Osman told viewers: “I think there will be a number of Premier League teams and managers that will be looking and seeing his quality.

“The issue for him has been remaining fit and there could be some teams out there, mine (Everton) in particular who could come in and get 15-20 goals a season and give that balance because there is no doubt about his quality.”

One would think Albion are in pole position to keep him.

But being ahead does not always mean you will ultimately prevail.

We have surely learnt that lesson this season.

Albion: Sanchez; White, Webster, Burn; Gross, Alzate (Lallana 67), Bissouma, Moder; Jahanbakhsh (Tau 73), Welbeck, Trossard (Zeqiri 83). Subs Not Used: Steele, Karbownik, Connolly, Mac Allister, Andone, Caicedo.

Goal: Welbeck 84.

Yellow card : Bissouma (18) foul.

West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen (Benrahma 64), Lingard, Fornals; Antonio. Subs Not Used: Randolph, Balbuena, Yarmolenko, Noble, Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Odubeko.

Goal: Benrahma 87.

Yellow card : None.

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands).