NEWCASTLE 0-2 WEST HAM: Goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka earned West Ham a fine victory at St James’ Park on a night their manager was under pressure
A reprieve for under pressure Julen Lopetegui after a near perfect away performance. But a big setback for Eddie Howe and Newcastle’s quest to put pressure on the top six.
Goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka earned the Hammers, and 3,700 travelling fans a Monday night away victory – the first on their travels since August.
After three consecutive wins Newcastle wanted to close in on the elite but lost out and the international break has killed their momentum. Pressure was growing on Lopetegui before this game with reports he had only two games to turn around a run of two wins in ten. He’s earned a few more in charge with this excellent result.
St James’ Park under the lights is no simple place to visit but the Hammers stunned Newcastle with an early goal in each half, weathering a Newcastle attacking storm and exploiting defensive weakness.
The opener came direct from a corner. Emerson Palmieri swung in the set piece which was attacked by Tomas Soucek, and his firm header powered beyond Nick Pope. Defender Lloyd Kelly was caught flat footed, after being called in to replace the suspended Dan Burn.
There was a Newcastle fightback hampered by slack finishing, which West Ham exploited early in the second half. After Anthony Gordon poked inches wide, Bruno Guimaraes was robbed by his best mate Lucas Paqueta who powered on to release Jarrod Bowen on the right wing.
The England winger slid a clever ball inside to full back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. He wasn’t closed down by left sided centre back Kelly who failed to get a block on the shot which crept inside the far post.
It was a powerful and combative away from home performance from the Hammers. And it was a disjointed one from Newcastle, messy in front of goal and suffering from too many in game changes of position.
Toon striker Alexander Isak got the Wor Flags, tifo treatment pre-match with the Leazes End spelling out his name in Swedish colours and the Gallowgate banner proclaiming him Alexander the Great.
Only a tight VAR offside ruling denied him a goal inside five minutes before the home side were rocked by Soucek’s opener.
The visitors grew in confidence and only a loose shot from Carlos Soler after Jarrod Bowen’s lay off denied a second goal. Michail Antonio led from the front with some punchy tracking back and tackles as well as breaking well. He earned a huge rip in his shorts which he had to swap.
Boss Eddie Howe had plenty of options off his £100m-plus bench with Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier fit again after injuries, and Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes both desperate for a role when they came on in the second half.
Earlier Willock slashed just wide and Sean Longstaff’s header was the Geordies’ first effort on target after 29 minutes. New England senior cap Lewis Hall flashed wide after surging into the box.
Gordon had the best first half chance when Jean-Clair Todibo failed to clear eight yards out but the shot was saved. Isak’s half volley after a precision ball from Bruno Guimaraes also skidded wide, as chances came but were not converted in a decent forceful spell for Howe’s men.
Newcastle had a Wilson penalty claim turned down by VAR, as they threw everything at getting a goal back.
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