The London Stadium played host to West Ham United and Newcastle United in a rescheduled midweek game. West Ham would have been looking to build on their recent victory over relegation rivals Southampton, while Newcastle would have been feeling just as optimistic – coming off a dominant victory over Manchester United.
WHU: Fabianski; Emerson, Aguerd, Zouma, Kehrer; Rice, Soucek; Benrahma, Paqueta, Bowen; Antonio
NEW: Pope; Burn, Botman, Schär, Trippier; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Murphy
West Ham United started the game very quickly, as Jarrod Bowen found himself marauding down the left flank, delivering a delightful cross into the Newcastle box which was hit against the post by Bruno Guimaraes – the Brazilian midfielder nearly converting into the back of his own net.
The Magpies handled the early pressure well, and found themselves in front after six minutes through a Callum Wilson header. Allan Saint-Maximin’s wonderfully guided cross found the head of the English striker who converted professionally from short range.
One soon became two, as Joelinton found himself in acres of space after a lovely guided through ball from Fabian Schär found the Brazilian running through on goal. The Brazilian midfielder rounded Lukasz Fabianski and finished off the move. The goal was initially given offside, however after a brief VAR check the Newcastle fans were sent into raptures.
After twenty minutes, West Ham gradually found their way back into the game creating chances through Lucas Paqueta, and Michail Antonio – the latter being thwarted by the Magpies’ Dutch defender Sven Botman.
West Ham eventually got their well deserved reward, as Kurt Zouma latched onto the end of a Jarrod Bowen corner. Newcastle’s Nick Pope misjudged the length of the corner and left an empty net for the French centre-back to header home into. The Irons made one final push just before half-time, but couldn’t capitalise.
West Ham would have looked to build on their performance at the end of the first half and find an equaliser, however that was instantly spoiled as Nayef Aguerd’s defensive howler gifted the Magpies a silver chance as Jacob Murphy jumped onto a loose ball and cut it across to Wilson who couldn’t possibly miss, making it 12 goals in 13 games against the Irons.
Uninspiring is the word to use for West Ham’s performance, as the London Stadium started to empty ten minutes before full-time. It went from bad to worse with a Fabianski howler, as the Polish ‘keeper came rushing out of his box to clear a through ball, which landed straight at the feet of Alexander Isak. The prolific Swedish striker had the simple task of firing the ball into an empty net.
The poor West Ham performance was capped off by yet another goal as Joelinton fired the Magpies into a 5-1 lead. The Brazilian drove forward from a counter attack, cutting inside and out as he had Zouma on skates before firing low into the bottom left corner.
Newcastle will be inspired going into their next away trip to Brentford, meanwhile David Moyes will be looking behind him as the relegation scrap heats up. The Irons sit in 15th, though they are level on points with 18th-place Bournemouth.
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