Premier LeagueNewcastle United 0-2 West Ham United
Saturday, 23rd November 2024
by Chris Wilkerson
Some say you are not truly a West Ham manager until you've been given two games to save your job. As Julen Lopetegui's side took a deserved three points from St. James' Park, with a fantastic performance to boot, some of those storm clouds seemed to fade away.
On this occasion, it was a wonderful 2-0 victory and arguably the most comprehensive showing from a West Ham side in 2024. Every individual played well, every unit in the team was strong and efficient, and suddenly this looked like a real team. Goals from Soucek and Wan-Bissaka were the reward for a match full of hard work, discipline, and no lack of skill.The manager, under pressure as he is, made one change, bringing Soler in for Rodriguez. It left Paqueta and Soucek playing as the slightly deeper pair in midfield, although the fluidity in the midfield throughout the game was a clear sign of the work of their coach and on the training ground.
Newcastle started on the front foot, not surprising considering their three-game winning run has taken in Chelsea, Arsenal and in-form Nottingham Forest. Isak scored early, only to be thwarted by an offside flag. The Hammers again looked to get their line high, a risk with the pace of Isak and Gordon against them.
But today, their decisions in defence looked more considered. The line was not set in stone, the players looking more comfortable dropping back and forth, maybe now understanding their coach's instructions a touch more.
For all the home side looked confident and the West Ham fans had travelled north with little joyful expectation, it was the Hammers in the crowd cheering loudest when their side took the lead 10 minutes in.
It was a first for both sides this season. A West Ham goal from a corner, Eddie Howe's team conceding from a corner. And it was so simple, Emerson curling an away-swinger towards the penalty spot, and Soucek meeting it perfectly to guide it to the far post from the middle of goal, arrowed down into the bottom corner with aplomb.
The movement from the corner was basic, the Czech midfielder making a move in, stepping back out and then moving forward once more, with Lloyd Kelly thrown off by a few steps to leave Tommy with a free header, although that should not take away from how excellent the finish with his head was.
It settled West Ham, and whilst Newcastle were always in the game and had their chances, the visitors looked extremely confident in their play and their plan from here. It's amazing what a goal can do.
Now passes were connecting, movement was natural, nothing felt forced. From the struggles of playing any sort of football against Everton, this looked like a team on form.
Still, the home side will look back at moments from the first half and wonder whether a touch of luck could have made things very different.
Willock could have done better when Wan-Bissaka struggled to clear a bouncing cross, his header falling right to the ex-Arsenal man on the edge of the box, only to be followed by a poor effort.
Kelly could have done better from a corner once more, this time in the opposition box as a curling ball made its way to the far post and the defender got up to head, but jumped a touch too early and met the ball on the way down, heading harmlessly wide.
The West Ham players just looked up for the challenge, showcasing an energy and spirit that has been missing throughout the majority of the season, epitomised by Antonio chasing back into his own half to slide into a challenge and get his team moving again. It was the attitude of all in claret and blue.
That's not to say this was all hard work and fight, beauty came with it. A lovely move from Soler, having by far his best game since the move, Paqueta and Bowen could have delivered more, but the quick exchange of pass and move football between the three was exactly what fans have been looking for this season.
Longstaff headed a chance right at Fabianski, Hall flashed a shot wide from the edge of the box that Isak was desperately close to meeting as he lunged at it close to goal, but Fabianski wasn't truly tested until just short of 40 minutes, and only after a major Todibo error.
A cross from the right landed in front of the Frenchman, with Gordon on his shoulder. He went to clear with his left, but only managed to poke it away a few yards, and the England winger pounced.
Eight yards out, Gordon looked sure to score, but Fabianski was sharp, quickly off his line to make the block easier as Gordon hit low and the goalkeeper made a crucial save with his legs.
And so West Ham went in with their one-goal lead intact.
Instead of a break and a new half bringing Newcastle forward, the second half was a complete performance from Lopetegui's side. They took control of the game and slowly suffocated any hope from the home team. Smart football, comfortable on the ball and recycling possession, never hiding from defensive duty, but never sitting on it like 1-0 was all that could be achieved.
Just short of 10 minutes into the half this time, West Ham scored again, doubling their lead. It was another example of the minor changes that made all the difference.
A ball in midfield was loose enough to give Paqueta an opening. This was never his ball, but the Brazilian forced his way to it and dispossessed his opponent with ease to take hold of the situation. He quickly passed wide right to Bowen, who pushed forward towards the box.
Wan-Bissaka flew up the inside, something we saw more of today as the wingers seemed to hold wider than they have, and drove into the box as Bowen saw his run and rolled the ball in front of him. The full back took a touch to gather it and found himself under very little pressure in the Newcastle area, so took the invitation to shoot.
It wasn't the cleanest strike, but it was accurate, bobbling across goal and off the inside of the far post to beat Nick Pope and see Wan-Bissaka score his first goal for the club.
A minute later, Bowen was stinging the palms of Pope with a shot from range as his side quickly told Newcastle that there was more left in the tank.
The Geordies, however, seemed beaten. A single scuffled shot on target is all that stands out as West Ham played out the perfect away second half.
Mavropanos replacing Todibo, who seemed to pick up a knock, was about the only concern, and whilst the Greek defender was clumsy when aerially challenging Wilson in the box, that was about as close as fans got to worrying.
And where to look to pinpoint the performers, such were the showings across the park. Paqueta, Wan-Bissaka and Soucek stood out, but praise, too, for a much-maligned pair this season. Antonio and Soler both looked fantastic, the striker all-action and finally finding some form, and the Spaniard given only his second start looking much more comfortable as a loose 10 who would drop back in and help move the ball forward with speed and accuracy.
Soler has struggled so far in this spell, these pages also struggling to see a player who looked suitable for the Premier League. Whilst one swallow doesn't make a summer, this was a showcase for Soler to give Hammers fan notice of what he truly can be. Not only was he sharp in possession and passing, but he drove forward with the ball at his feet, something we have lacked in the middle of the pitch since Rice's departure.
It was a joy to have two cultured midfielders in the centre of the park dictating play, the two playing the most passes of the West Ham players, and there is little surprise to see Wan-Bissaka in third, the full back switching to the left later on but making great strides across the park.
Newcastle did try to put West Ham under pressure, but it was comfortable defending for The Hammers, the box defended as a team. This was closer to the West Ham people have been familiar with over the last four seasons, going a little deeper a little more quickly, defending the box fiercely and bursting forward with space for runners like Bowen and Summerville to play in.
The hosts ran out of ideas, having tried different formations, personnel and routes to goal to try breach the stubborn defence in front of them. They could find no inspiration, and as Lopetegui made the changes to keep his team fresh, each one added to the performance.
Coufal was full of energy and discipline, Ings retained and recycled possession well, Rodriguez slotted in nicely beside Soucek, Irving sat in front of the pair and looked composed in possession as he worked to support Ings.
It was that comfortable, in the end. A match report where the second half has barely any incident of note can be a negative, but today it was due to a professional performance where Lopetegui's West Ham beat Newcastle at St. James Park with surprising ease.
Having taken quite a beating on these pages over the last few weeks, Lopetegui deserves all the praise he can get here. This was a truly wonderful performance, a complete one, with every player on song, a system looking like it clicked and big weaknesses seemingly rectified. Keep this up, if even not to this level, and doubters like I will be silenced again.
Manager's Rating
Julen Lopetegui: 10/10 It cannot be overstated what a big performance this was. Yes, it's no 5-0 battering, it wasn't prime Barcelona or anything, but the context of it all makes it quite special. Under immense pressure, struggling on the pitch, systems looking lost on players who seem unhappy, press all over him, Newcastle in form, away on a cold Monday night up north. Expectations were low. Not only did he get a performance from them, he got one of both fight and skill. He didn't just get them behind him to battle one out, they also looked a much better team who knew their roles and how each part of the plan was to be played. If you needed to be assured of his competence, there it was. It might still not work out, it could collapse after signs of life, but you can hang onto that performance and see what the aim is.
Want to submit your match reports to KUMB.com? More details here ...
Click to view all West Ham United vs Newcastle United match reports Click to view all match reports by Chris Wilkerson Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.Player Ratings
Lukasz FabianskiMade the difference when called upon, in a game that was far easier for him than anybody expected.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
He had lost his way in recent weeks, and caught the ire of many for his reaction on substitution against Everton, but this was much more like it, and a similar performance to his start against Palace. Looks better arriving into formed attacks rather than being an out ball and starting them. He also looked good on the underlap, with Bowen holding width.
Emerson Palmieri
A good corner and a solid display, he was able to keep all of the options Howe threw at him down the right quiet.
Jean Clair Todibo
A big mistake that could have been costly, but bailed out by Fabianski. Was fine, other than that, but seemed to pick up an injury.
Max Kilman
Calm and solid, Isak had brief moments but was marshalled better than many have this season.
Tomas Soucek
Just a phenomenal performance, truly. His passing has improved, but the use of him in build has got better, too. Yes, use that head for long balls forward, but don't rely on him to dictate tempo and be a conductor in team moves. He's a great defender and probably the best option in those deeper positions because of it. You might want that player to be great on the ball, too, but the basics of doing the defensive job and covering the yards are more important. And he can get up and down the pitch all day long to make those vital moments in either box.
Lucas Paqueta
n partnership with Soucek, and with a player like Soler much more on his wavelength, Paqueta put in another good performance and his best of the season. Combative without losing discipline, creative without being careless - one backheel aside - and an influence all over the park. This is why Lopetegui was not dropping him, because getting the best out of your best players is a basic principle of successful management.
Carlos Soler
A chance for Soler to show his quality, and a start in his true position that made it much easier for him. Maybe two weeks in the international break to keep working, but also rest and get away from the pressure of a move, was enough to revitalise him, but this is the player the manager wanted, finally showing what he can do to this fanbase. Great passer and a good carrier, Soler showed he can thrive in the Premier League. Finding consistency is next, and that could make him a star.
Michail Antonio
Another one of those Antonio performances that reminds you why he is so hard to replace. Still lacking a little goal threat, but working centre backs like this means he doesn't necessarily need it to achieve. Grafted through every minute he could.
Jarrod Bowen
Clever assist and a better game for Jarrod, who has never stopped trying and suits a game with West Ham defending deeper, giving him space to run into when countering.
Crysencio Summerville
By no means the standout, didn't have a big influence, but his pace offers a threat and he held the width well. Keeps possession rather than trying something difficult, which makes him suited to a higher level like the Premier League.
Substitutes
Konstantinos Mavropanos(Todibo 57) With Newcastle rarely engineering goal threats during the second half, this was as close to a stroll in the park for Dinos as you can get at this level.
Vladimir Coufal
(Emerson 75) Whilst others came into a dead game and just had to keep it going until the result was secure, Vlad came in and still had a fight on. He won it, defending manfully.
Danny Ings
(Antonio 75) Less action than Antonio, but a better passer and a better option to keep the ball when leading.
Andy Irving
(Summerville 84) Drifts nicely with the ball and passes with good tempo.
Guido Rodriguez
(Soler, 84) Came into a pretty dead game and the midfield lost nothing as he slotted in easily.
Alphonse Areola
Did not play.
Aaron Cresswell
Did not play.
Ollie Scarles
Did not play.
Luis Guilherme
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Emerson Palmieri, Jean Clair Todibo, Max Kilman, Tomas Soucek, Lucas Paqueta, Carlos Soler, Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville.Goals: Tomas Soucek 10 Aaron Wan-Bissaka 53 .
Booked: Julen Lopetegui 0 .
Sent Off: None sent off. .
Newcastle United: Pope, Schar, Kelly, Livramento, Hall, Longstaff (Tonali 57), Willock (Barnes 46), Guimaraes (Trippier 84), Joelinton (Murphy 69), Gordon (Wilson 68), Isak.
Subs not used: Dubravka, Targett, Osula, Almiron.
Goals: .
Booked: Kelly.
Sent off: None.
Referee: Craig Pawson.
Attendance: 52,094.
Man of the Match: Tomas Soucek.