Bruno Guimaraes gives Newcastle perfect Carabao Cup final preparation with West Ham win

WEST HAM 0-1 NEWCASTLE: Bruno Guimaraes was on target for the Magpies in the second half as attention now turns to the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday

Bruno Guimaraes netted the second-half winner to extend Newcastle’s great record against West Ham in London – and leave Toon fans wishing they could face the Hammers in a Wembley cup final.

Newcastle are now unbeaten in six away matches against West Ham as they warmed up for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with a vital Premier League win.

Harvey Barnes excelled down the left in the place of the suspended Anthony Gordon – and provided the assist for the goal – and star striker Alexander Isak came through unscathed against a passive Irons side. Watching England boss Thomas Tuchel will not have been impressed by a mediocre game.

European football is still possible for Toon through the Premier League as they climbed to sixth place – level on points with Manchester City. Premier League leaders Liverpool will present a much sterner task on Sunday as Newcastle seek a first domestic trophy since the 1955 FA Cup.

But after two defeats, injuries and suspension, Eddie Howe’s side will return to the capital on Sunday in high spirits after Guimaraes scored only his third goal of the season.

The ovation given to the head coach and his players at full-time – accompanied by chants of “We’re Going to Wembley” – showed the first domestic cup final of the season will be a great occasion with a vibrant atmosphere. And Newcastle promise to make a game of it.

Gordon had started his three-match ban following his FA Cup red card while Lewis Hall and Sven Botman were out injured. Howe had promised to field his strongest side – with Isak starting up front- as he gave clues to his cup final plans.

Nick Pope replaced Martin Dubravka in goal while Barnes made his first start since December 7 in Gordon’s left wing slot.

But seeking a third consecutive Premier League win for the first time since December 2023, unchanged West Ham enjoyed the stronger start after a 10-day break.

Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez spurned clear chances in the first five minutes. But Newcastle weathered the early storm and were to dominate the rest of the half – with Barnes involved in their best action as the visitors found space down the flanks.

He forced Alphonse Areola into a smart low save when he deflected Kieran Trippier’s drilled cross shot after 20 minutes.

Then the West Ham keeper denied Barnes again – this time from a smart header – after Dan Burns sent Trippier’s deep corner back across goal.

West Ham, with little to play for this season, came out with more urgency after the break and Fabian Schar stopped Kudus with a well-timed tackle in the box.

Areola, who was dropped by Julien Lopetegui after the Spurs defeat, made a miracle save after 61 minutes when he pawed away Max Kilman’s sliced clearance from a Jacob Murphy cross. Isak could not convert the loose ball.

But the French keeper was beaten two minutes later. The excellent Tonali found Barnes on the left. When his first cross was blocked, he regained possession and floated a ball into the box for Guimaraeis to ghost between Alvaraz and Ollie Scarles to score. Isak got away with a push in the back of Jean-Clair Todibo as the ball came over.

Potter belatedly made four changes after the goal. Sub Lucas Paqueta made an immediate impact when his ball saw Bowen go down in the box under challenge from Guimaraes but no penalty was given and subdued booing from the home fans at the final whistle was in contrast to the loud cheering from the travelling Newcastle fans. They will be back in London on Sunday hoping for the same result.

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