Hammers Get Another St James’ Result

It’s been a long time in coming but West Ham United finally have their second away win of the season after a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Monday night.

Julen Lopetegui made one change to the team that played in the goalless draw at home to Everton sixteen days ago, as Carlos Soler replaced Guido Rodríguez who dropped to the bench. Youngsters Luis Guilherme and Oliver Scarles were also included amongst the substitutes.

Eddie Howe’s side wanted to build on their unbeaten run, whilst the Hammers were looking for a first success on the road since winning 2-0 at Crystal Palace back on August 24.

The hosts had the ball in the net early on through Alexander Isak but his effort was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Both teams started well but the hosts were made to pay for their missed chances as with only ten minutes gone. Emerson Palmieri’s corner was headed past goalkeeper Nick Pope by Tomáš Souček.

The Magpies were trying to find an equaliser but the Irons’ defence remained resilient. Joe Willock’s effort failed to even test visiting goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański, as it was high and wide.

Lopetegui’s men then launched another counter-attacking move as they looked to extend their advantage but unfortunately, when Soler tried his luck, his effort went wide of the post.

The hosts had further chances to equalise but neither Sean Longstaff, or Anthony Gordon were able to trouble Fabiański.

Gordon went close again just minutes later, while former Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall got in on the act and his attempt missed the attentions of Isak.

Up the other end, Irons’ Captain Jarrod Bowen was played in by Lucas Paquetá. He was afforded space to run into the box but unfortunately, his shot went narrowly wide of the target.

Gordon had another chance to beat Fabiański but the stopper kept him out. Even Willock couldn’t get the ball past the Pole on the follow-up!!!.

Then, one more chance arrived for the Magpies, as Bruno Guimarães set up Isak but West Ham survived once more, as he sent his volley over the top.

When referee Craig Pawson restarted the action, Lopetegui’s team remained on the front-foot and increased their advantage with just eight minutes of the half gone. A great team move involving Paquetá and Bowen ended with Aaron Wan-Bissaka beating Pope to claim his first goal in four years.

On fifty seven minutes, Lopetegui, along with his opposite number, made a change. Konstantinos Mavropanos and Sandro Tonali took the places of the injured Jean-Clair Todibo and Longstaff.

The East Londoners were applying more pressure but they were unable to extend their lead, as the hosts managed to block everything that came their way. Another opportunity then went in favour of the hosts but again, they couldn’t make the most of it. Fabian Schär’s effort from distance was nowhere near Fabiański’s goal.

The action was relentless and their were chances at both ends by this point with a free-kick from Soler missing the target and Isak heading wide after being on the end of a cross from Tino Livramento.

The former AFC Bournemouth and Burnley boss made another substitution on sixty eight minutes with Callum Wilson coming on for Gordon and just minutes after entering the fray, Wilson thought he had been tripped by Mavropanos in the area. Pawson gave nothing on the field and he was backed up by the VAR officials.

With his side now getting closer to maximum points, Lopetegui made further changes, as both Vladimír Coufal and Danny Ings were brought on, meaning an end of the evening for both Palmieri and Michail Antonio.

Howe hadn’t had the spark that he was expecting from his side and with the Irons looking to add more gloss to an already impressive performance, both Head-Coaches shuffled their packs for one last time. Kieran Trippier was introduced for Newcastle, while in the other dugout, the Spaniard made use of his final two alterations, as he introduced both Rodríguez and Andy Irving for Soler and Crysencio Summerville.

After a lengthy period of stoppage time, the job was complete for the East Londoners and having beaten one of the so-called “big clubs” in the shape of Manchester United to end last month, they now bring November to a close, as they will be welcoming another of the elite pack to Stratford when Arsenal visit for Saturday’s late kick-off.