They were outplayed in the first half, magnificent with 10 men in the second, but, having equalised with 10 minutes to play, were steamrollered by Newcastle in the closing stages.
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When the emotions that accompanied the drama had settled, this was a crucial and impressive win for Newcastle. They have had a poor season overall, but have found form under intense pressure at the business end of the campaign. With fans adamant Steve Bruce should be sacked, the club held their nerve, mindful of the fact they have been relegated twice having replaced the manager at a similar stage of the season. With the benefit of hindsight, it looks the correct one.
West Ham's Jesse Lindgard scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot - AP
Newcastle have lost just one game in seven and back-to-back wins have lifted them well clear of the relegation zone.
“I thought the boys played well but sat too deep in the second half,” said Willock. “My first touch was rusty, but my second was a goal and I’ve been working on my heading.
“We are getting involved more in games, we are creating more opportunities and if we continue to do that we will be safe. Everyone is buying into what the manager is trying to do and we are pushing each other. Collectively we have grown during the hard times.”
Newcastle were superb in the first half but dismal in the second as they tossed away a two-goal lead.
What a disaster for West Ham! It's a double blow for the Hammers...
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 17, 2021
When the visitors pulled a goal back through Issa Diop with 17 minutes remaining it unravelled in agonising fashion as West Ham were awarded a penalty, after a Var check for handball against Ciaran Clark. Jesse Lingard, who had been strangely subdued throughout, thumped in the equaliser before going off with cramp late on.
It was the sort of spectacular implosion that paves so many paths to relegation. Newcastle had stopped doing all the things that troubled West Ham in the first half. They were passive to the point of laziness. They deserved to be punished. But Newcastle burst back into life, pouring forward with manic intensity. Jacob Murphy had a shot cleared off the line and seconds later substitute Willock planted a thumping header in off the crossbar.
It must have been crushing for West Ham. “We are proud of the character we showed with 10 men in the second half,” said manager David Moyes. “We gave away two really soft goals, but there is no frustration, not at all, the opposite. There is no drama after this. The players are doing brilliantly… while the result is not the one we wanted, the players are doing really well and we’re having an excellent season.”
Newcastle United's Joelinton scores their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match - PA
In truth, Moyes’s side were beaten in the first half. West Ham were sloppy far too often. Newcastle were focused, sharp and dangerous. Both Newcastle goals came via mistakes, but the visitors had been constantly rattled by Newcastle’s counter-attacks and tortured by Allan Saint-Maximin.
Craig Dawson, having been booked for cynically scything down Joelinton, after a poor pass on the halfway line by Jarrod Bowen had left the centre-back dangerously isolated, was sent off after his poor touch and subsequent lunge had clattered into the Brazilian.
The fact that Newcastle went on to score, an excellent advantage by referee Kevin Friend, made it even worse. Saint-Maximin’s clipped shot was beating Lukasz Fabianski but covered by Diop, only for the defender to get into a tangle and put the ball into his own net.
West Ham were two down before the break after a howler from Fabianski, who dropped a cross, allowing Joelinton to hook the ball in from close range.
Newcastle fully deserved their lead. Saint-Maximin’s emergence from the bench had turned the game against Burnley in their favour the previous weekend, with the Frenchman creating their first goal and scoring the second. He was electric again here before tiring in the second half, which facilitated West Ham’s unlikely and ultimately failed comeback.
01:41 PM
Some facts
Newcastle became the eighth side to hit the 800-goal milestone at home in the Premier League (801 goals).
West Ham lost for the first time in their 23 Premier League encounters with teams in the bottom half of the table since David Moyes returned to the club (W14 D8).
Newcastle enjoyed their fifth Premier League double over West Ham (also 1993-94, 1994-95, 2010-11 and 2017-18), something they’ve only done as many times in the competition against Spurs.
West Ham have scored four own-goals in the Premier League this season, more than any other side and the Hammers’ joint-most ever in a single campaign in the competition (also 4 in 2000-01).
West Ham’s Craig Dawson was sent off for the first time ever in his 345th appearance in English league football.
01:31 PM
The table as it stands
01:31 PM
FT: Newcastle 3 West Ham 2
Newcastle are up to 15th and West Ham miss the chance to go third. I tentatively suggest Newcastle deserved that across the 90 minutes but it was another maddening game involving West Ham. Credit to them for retrieving a two-goal deficit a man light. Willock delivering against another London club while on loan from Arsenal.
01:29 PM
98 minutes
Long throw on its way from Coufal but Clark clears his lines well. Cufal gets it back and West Ham build again, but Murphy defends well against Bowen.
Callum Wilson on the break then very nearly dances through the West Ham defence after a great Carroll pass.
01:28 PM
97 minutes
Joelinton is the man coming off. He got his goal and drew the foul which got Dawson sent off.
01:27 PM
96 minutes
West Ham enjoying some territory but Newcastle see the ball behind for a goal kick. Andy Carroll coming on to waste some time. Is it always a waste of time when he comes on?
01:26 PM
95 minutes
Goodness me, what a cross Benrahma. Whipped in from the right and Clark stuck a leg out but fortunately for Newcastle his deflection did not land either in the far corner or at the feet of a West ham forward.
01:25 PM
94 minutes
Newcastle win a free kick deep in the West Ham half and keep it in the corner. They have managed the first half of the eight minutes of stoppage time well.
01:24 PM
A good loan
⚽ Joe Willock has scored 2 goals in his last 2 PL apps (both after coming on as a sub), having scored 2 goals in his previous 47 appearances in the competition pic.twitter.com/AQOPiLWMbC
West Ham get the ball back but Fornals gets a lofted ball over the top all wrong. Newcastle coming forward through Wilson but his shot was blocked by Diop. They get around the ball to sustain the attack though but Soucek robs Willock near the corner flag.
01:21 PM
91 minutes
Newcastle have a throw deep in the West Ham half. Keep it down there will be the message.
01:21 PM
EIGHT minutes of stoppage time!
Torture for Newcastle fans. All down to the Var check and that Lingard injury.
01:20 PM
89 minutes
Soucek causing problems but Lanzini neglects to shoot from distance and Benrahma cannot quite squeeze the pass through the eye of a needle. Newcastle back in possession and they find Wilson, who holds it up well. Then he wins a free-kick. Just what they needed.
01:19 PM
87 minutes
Play is under way again after that Lingard change and Newcastle are making an effort to play more on the front foot. West Ham have a throw on halfway.
01:16 PM
85 minutes
Lingard is down clutching his hamstring but it looks like it is cramp. A worry for West Ham nevertheless. Lanzini is going to replace him.
01:16 PM
Diop's goal
Hope for the Hammers! Diop pulls one back for West Ham.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 17, 2021
01:15 PM
84 minutes
NOW can Newcastle hang on? They really should have scored before that Willock goal when Almiron got the ball under his feet and Johnson cleared off the line from Murphy. Scoring a fourth might be the best form of defence.
01:14 PM
GOOOOAAAALL! Willock scores another huge goal late on
Wonderful cross from Ritchie from the left and the on-loan Arsenal midfielder arrived to plant a really good header past Fabianski. Was right above him but just too much power. Newcastle breathe a sigh of relief.
01:13 PM
81 minutes
Bruce has brought Willock on for Longstaff. What a finale we are in for here. Both teams have the incentive to push for a win.
Ooooh, what a chance for Newcastle as Johnson clears off the line from Murphy but they are coming forward again....
01:11 PM
GOOOOAAAALLL! Lingard scores
After a long old wait, Lingard fires in off the post. He runs to get the ball - West Ham will keep pushing for the win.
01:09 PM
Lingard to take
Newcastle have been asking for it in the second half. West Ham's turn to be on the right end of a comeback.
01:08 PM
Var check: PENALTY WEST HAM!
He can have no complaints. Clark led with his arm and it was above his head.
01:08 PM
77 minutes
Clark heads a long throw towards Soucek away. The midfielder then attacks a Johnson cross but is penalised for foul in the box.
HOLD UP! Clark may have handballed it from the long throw. Var checking for a penalty. Friend goes across to have a look at the monitor. The arm was well above his head.
01:06 PM
75 minutes
Changes: Benrahma comes on for Noble. Nerves will be jangling in the Newcastle ranks now.
01:04 PM
GOOOOAALL! West ham have one back through Diop
West Ham worked the position and Bowen clipped a lovely inswinger straight on the head of Diop who found the bottom corner. Slack marking from Newcastle and the goal is confirmed after a Var check for offside. Game on!
01:03 PM
73 minutes
West Ham have a corner, Dubravka comes and punches. West Ham keep it it alive though and sustain the attack...
01:02 PM
71 minutes
Newcastle with a promising attack but Joelinton could not pick out Wilson with the cross. Badly misjudged and overhit. Benrahma is about to come on for West Ham.
01:01 PM
69 minutes
Really nice idea from Almiron who tried to pick out the run of Wilson with a cute through ball but he got a little too much on it. The clock is ticking towards the final 20 minutes.
Coufal gets the better of Ritchie on the diagonal again but Clark is their to head his driven cross behind.
12:58 PM
66 minutes
More than half a chance for West Ham as Coufal sneaks behind Ritchie at the back post be he heads downwards and Dubravka is well positioned to gather. Joelinton is down after being caught by Ogbonna.
12:55 PM
64 minutes
Newcastle making a sub: Saint Maximin's race is run but he made a great contribution. Callum Wilson returns! A big boost for Newcastle and he has a great record against West Ham.
12:52 PM
62 minutes
Lingard with a speculative shot from distance which flies wide.Newcastle will want to get more touches and shift their unit up the pitch. West Ham growing in belief that an unlikely revival is achievable. Coufal wins a free-kick near the right corner flag.
12:51 PM
60 minutes
West Ham seeing most of the ball since the break but Newcastle still doing a good containment job. Soucek picks up a pocket of space in midfield though and gets West Ham playing. Lingard shoots from distance and it deflects behind for a corner. West Ham have scored more goals from set-pieces than any team in the league, and Ogbonna looked like planting home a back post header there but it deflected behind for a corner. Then West Ham win another, and Newcastle scramble Lingard's delivery clear.
12:48 PM
57 minutes
Ogbonna cuts out an Saint Maximin cross and Soucek does well to carry the ball through midfield. Fernandez takes out Lingard and West Ham launch the free kick into the box but it is top deep deep from Lingard.
12:45 PM
55 minutes
Flag goes up for offside against Matt Ritchie. West Ham probing around the Newcastle box but struggling to carve out a clear-cut chance. The ball once again goes wide to Coufal but his cross is aimless.
12:42 PM
51 minutes
Saint Maximin pulling out the party tricks as he runs away on the counter but he got one wrong and the attack died a death. West Ham get forward but Coufal blasts the cross behind after a lung-busting run from right-back.
12:39 PM
49 minutes
Newcastle enjoying some territory in the West Ham half. Shelvey moves the ball on nicely in midfield but Murphy's pass was loose with Saint Maximin in a nice pocket of space.
12:37 PM
47 minutes
West Ham need a goal and a prayer. Very hard to see how they get back into this with no recognised forward on the pitch. Almiron takes an early shot from distance which flies wide.
12:36 PM
We're under way again
No changes from either side at the break.
12:36 PM
The teams are back out
Newcastle will be up to 15th if they can see this out with an extra man.
12:28 PM
Our man on Tyneside
#nufc fully deserve that. An astute game plan exposed West Ham, effectively doing to them what they have done to others all season. Both goals came from defensive mistakes but that’s because WH have been constantly rattled on the counter attack and tormented by ASM. Impressive
I was wrong about Fabianski getting a hand to Saint-Maximin's shot and palming it into Diop's shins. Watching the replays in slow motion, the defender actually takes it away from his hand with a clumsy intervention.
12:21 PM
The second goal from Fabianski's mistake
West Ham are imploding at St James' Park! It's a long way back for the Hammers now!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 17, 2021
12:20 PM
HT: Newcastle 2 West Ham 0
A late West Ham free-kick is dealt with. Just what Newcastle needed, a two-goal lead and a man advantage. They started the game well to give them due credit but West Ham helped them on their way with some glaring individual errors from Dawson and Fabianski.
In a role reversal, West Ham now need to mount a comeback of their own.
12:17 PM
45 minutes
Newcastle pouring forward again but an offside flag spares West Ham. There will be two minutes of added time. Kevin Friend speaking to Lingard and Fernandez who were having words.
12:16 PM
43 minutes
West Ham not far away from being 3-0 down after Joelinton drove into the box and shot across goal but this time Fabianski was equal to it. West Ham have self-destructed here though were not playing that well to start with.
12:14 PM
GOOOOOAALLL! Howler from Fabianski and Newcastle are in charge
Regulation corner, no more than a yard or two off his line, but Fabianski let a straightforward catch slip through his fingers. Joelinton was there for the easiest goal he will ever score. That was back to the Flappy-handski days at Arsenal.
12:12 PM
40 minutes
Newcastle had bodies forward but Murphy could not pick out the cross and Soucek turned behind for a corner. No complaints at all from Dawson and the West Ham players.
12:11 PM
38 minutes
Well, well. Scarcely do you see a game change course so drastically. West Ham are up the pitch and have a corner though. Bowen goes to the right to take it. Newcastle clear and they are away on the break!
12:10 PM
GOOOOOOAAAALL! Newcastle lead and West Ham have had Dawson sent off
What a dramatic sequence of football. Dawson with a terrible touch that he chased after, steaming through Joelinton which was a second yellow card offence.
The referee played on because Joelinton poked the ball to Saint Maximin who went on the outside, shooting across Fabianski who palmed the ball straight into the shins of Diop and it deflected into the net.
The referee then went back and sent Dawson off. Double whammy!
12:07 PM
34 minutes
Stoppage in play while Fernandez changes his boots to a more suitable pair.
12:04 PM
32 minutes
West Ham enjoying plenty of possession but Newcastle look content to deny them space in behind without a recognised striker in the visitors' team. Been a while since Newcastle mustered a proper attack though. Fornals goes for a scissored volley but scuffs it.
12:03 PM
30 minutes
Good goalkeeping from Dubravka to claim after Coufal hooked the ball across goal. Newcastle then struggle to build play from the back and West Ham keep them penned in.
12:00 PM
28 minutes
Soucek with a good switch of play out to his good pal Coufal, then Almiron gives away a foul in a dangerous spot from tripping Noble. Looked soft but West Ham are threatening from dead balls. Lingard tries to curl one in but Newcastle head clear.
11:58 AM
26 minutes
Bowen tries to drill left-foot shot from range after decent combination play but Shelvey got himself back to make the block. Lingard tries to make one of his trademark darts in behind down the left but Newcastle are doing well to crown him out so far.
11:55 AM
23 minutes
Yet again it was THAT MAN Saint Maximin causing havoc, getting between West Ham's defence and midfield and being allowed to turn and dribble. This time his shot deflects behind and West Ham stand strong from the corner. Poor pass from Fornals halts a potential counter.
11:53 AM
21 minutes
West Ham have not really created a chance of note in open play. Newcastle looking quite well organised and comfortable when asked to defend. Just one shot on goal from more than 60 per cent possession, in fact.
11:51 AM
18 minutes
Saint Maximin driving towards goal again but he runs out of options and drills a shot into the shins of a West Ham defender. His follow-up effort is much better though, with power from 20 yards but it was straight at Fabianski. ASM looking the best player on the pitch.
11:49 AM
16 minutes
West Ham get the chance to send a set-piece into the area with a wide free-kick. Dawson got his head to it but it was straight at Dubravka. West Ham then press well to recover the ball high but Lingard is tackled well by Longstaff in the area.
11:46 AM
14 minutes
Saint Maximin skipping past opponents with ease again before Murphy lets fly from distance that Fabianski is equal to, getting down sharply at his near post. The home team looking more threatening.
11:44 AM
12 minutes
Bowen with a casual, loose pass in midfield which sends Joelinton away, running at the West Ham back three. They had numbers back but Dawson brought him down with an agricultural challenge at the expense of a yellow card. The free-kick comes to nothing.
11:43 AM
10 minutes
West Ham threaten from a corner with Diop winning first contact at the near post but Newcastle head clear. Very even so far but there doesn't look too much for Newcastle to be afraid of.
11:41 AM
8 minutes
Saint Maximin getting on the ball down the left and is awarded a foul after a late challenge from Coufal. The winger stayed down for a while holding his shin but gets up and is fine to carry on. In fact, he is straight back on his feet and dribbling into the West Ham penalty area who just about halt his run. Promising from Newcastle's main man.
11:38 AM
6 minutes
Decent football from Newcastle involving Saint-Maximin and Almiron, who poked a pass through the legs of Soucek for Longsatff who took a shot from 22 yards or so that deflected wide. Fabianski mis-judged the flight of the resulting corner but Ogbonna saved the day with a good header at the back post.
11:36 AM
4 minutes
Now it's the turn of West Ham's defenders to knock the ball around between themselves. Ogbonna is back on the left side of that back three today. Foul won in midfield by Soucek. The free-kick is pumped into the area but Newcastle deal with it with Longstaff hooking clear.
11:34 AM
2 minutes
The home team settle into some early possession. Looks like West Ham are playing with a front three of Bowen, Lingard and Fornals who will have the freedom to rotate positions. A couple of wayward passes from Newcastle gift West Ham throw-ins and territory.
11:32 AM
KICK OFF!
After a minute's silence for the Duke of Edinburgh, Newcastle get us under way.
11:28 AM
Looks like both teams are playing a back three
Jacob Murphy has been good for Newcastle down their right flank in recent games.
11:27 AM
The players are on their way out
Both teams believe this is a winnable game which usually produces a good watch. I'm optimistic.
11:23 AM
Some responsibility on Joelinton with Wilson on the bench
Newcastle United's Brazilian striker Joelinton warms-up prior to the start of the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and West Ham United - AFP
11:11 AM
A nice feature on Glenn Roeder on Sky
His two sons Will and Joe talking about how they were allowed to go West Ham's training ground as kids and have a kickaround with other players' sons while a first-team session went on in the background. Amazing.
11:04 AM
Some Newcastle fans unhappy with no Willock or Wilson in the starting XI
Twitter is always a hysterical place, but possibly never more than when some team news drops. Bruce has gone with the passing range of Jonjo Shelvey over the threat and movement of Joe Willock in midfield.
10:39 AM
What's the latest with Newcastle's takeover?
Why did the Premier League delay the Newcastle takeover? What's changed in the last few weeks? Will a second Saudi bid land on the table? Jason Burt explains all here.
Crunch time for both teams but Newcastle have the pressure
The joy of a football season's final weeks is the way fixtures one could be tempted to overlook suddenly take on great significance, and Newcastle vs West Ham this lunchtime is certainly one of those.
It is a huge game at both ends of the table, with West Ham and David Moyes looking to continue their unlikely Champions League charge. Their last three games have had a peculiar pattern: West Ham were three goals up in each of them but were pegged back to 3-3 against Arsenal and left hanging on for a 3-2 win against Wolves and Leicester City. The speed and fluidity of their attacking play has been really impressive, but you do wonder if dropped points are around the corner if they have to cope without Michail Antonio and Declan Rice for much longer. Kicking off early means West Ham could jump above Leicester into third and Friday's draw between Everton and Tottenham suited. A victory would send West Ham eight points clear of their London rivals.
Four points from fixtures against Tottenham and Burnley was a positive return from Steve Bruce's Newcastle, and the return of Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilison from injury raises hopes they can pull away from danger. They will have an eye on the fact Fulham play Arsenal away tomorrow, and a home win today would send them nine points clear of Scott Parker's team. Remember, Newcastle and Fulham meet on the final day of the season so Bruce will want it put to bed before then. Newcastle won 2-0 at West Ham on the opening day of the season. Not even the most optimistic West Ham fan - do they even exist? - would have anticipated the turnaround that would ensue over the following 30 games.
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