Latest News

West Ham are still to concede a goal in the Premier League this season after they nullified an admittedly toothless Newcastle attack at St James' Park this afternoon.

Alan Pardew's side, heavily beaten in their opening fixture at Manchester City failed to fashion a single shot on target out of their 16 efforts on goal as Jussi Jaaskelainen enjoyed one of the easiest afternoons he will ever have in the Premier League.

However his opposite number Tim Krul wasn't exactly pushed either, with only Stewart Downing's 49th minute effort being on target from a West Ham perspective.

Sam Allardyce opted to start with the same team that comfortably disposed of Cardiff last weekend but for one exception, with new signing Stewart Downing replacing the unlucky Joe Cole - who had been superb against the Premier League newcomers - to make his first start.

Newcastle, still smarting from Monday's 4-0 defeat proved just as toothless again in a dire opening half in which their best attacks emanated from the foraging runs of Hatem Ben Arfa - even if the Frenchman's three efforts on goal ended up either wide of the target or somewhere close to Row Z.

The closest Newcastle came to scoring ahead of the break came (predictably perhaps) from the boot of a West Ham player, when Winston Reid's hurried back pass just 13 minutes in wrong footed Jussi Jaaskelainen before rolling inches wide of the far post, much to the relief of the big Finn.

Ironically it was Reid who came closest to opening West Ham's account when a long punt from James Collins on the half hour mark found its way to the Kiwi who had stolen behind the home defence. Unfortunately for the Hammers, Reid was unable to find the slightest touch which was all that was needed to divert the ball beyond Tim Krul.

Modibo Maiga, standing in once again for Andy Carroll was also heavily involved in West Ham's other two chances of the first half. The Mali international should have done better when Guy Demel wriggled his way to the byeline before delivering a great cross that he could only head wide.

Maiga was heavily involved again seven minutes before the break when Matt Jarvis lost his man before delivering a deep cross towards Stewart Downing. Downing's decision to nod the back into the centre instead of going for goal was a poor one, even before Maiga stumbled as he tried - but failed - to make contact.

After Coloccini had nodded an early corner wide of its intended target, Downing was involved once more when set through on goal - however the England winger drifted wide before firing a weak shot straight at Krul. It was to be the game's only shot on target.

Kevin Nolan, who loves scoring goals against his old club was presented with a golden opportunity to do it again with an hour played when the cross of the day from Downing found West Ham's captain free at the near post. Unusually, Nolan made a complete hash of his header which floated harmlessly over the bar.

As the home side continued to huff and puff, it was West Ham who were looking the more dangerous and likely to score the goal which would almost certainly win the contest. As the game entered its closing stages Cole, on for (a very disappointed) Downing went close with a dipping effort that curled inches wide of the post.

Modibo Maiga, who had been anonymous for much of the game did eventually have the ball in the back of the net in the final minute but was disappointed to discover that his effort - a tap-in from substitute and Premier League debutant Ravel Morrison's deflected shot - was ruled out for offside.

That was before the home side almost stole what would have been a hugely undeserved three points when Sammy Ameobi's misdirected cross looped over Jaaskelainen and cannoned back into the path of fellow sub Gouffran, who somehow poked the ball over the bar from just three yards out.

It was Newcastle's 16th effort on goal in the game - and the 16th time they'd missed the target.

So in the end the draw was probably a fair result, as neither team managed to supply any invention or creativity in the final third of the pitch. Look forward to West Ham - currently second in the Premier League with four points from two games - being last on Match of the Day tonight.



Match Facts: Newcastle Utd 0-0 West Ham Utd

West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Collins, Reid, Noble, Diame (Morrison 75), Nolan (c), Downing (Cole 63), Jarvis, Maiga.

Subs not used: Adrian, Rat, Tomkins, Diarra, Vaz Te.

Booked: O'Brien (44).

Possession: 45%.

Shots (on/off target): 6 (1/5).

Newcastle Utd: Krul, Debuchy, Santon, Coloccini (c), Yanga-Mbiwa, Anita, Sissoko, Marveaux (Sa.Ameobi 65), Ben Arfa, Sh.Ameobi, Cisse (Gouffran 72).

Subs not used: Elliott, Bigirmana, Gosling, Vuckic, Dummett.

Possession: 55%.

Shots (on/off target): 16 (0/16).

Referee: Phil Dowd.

Assistants: S Bennett, D Bryan.

Fourth Official: K Friend.

Attendance: 49,622 (2,200 away).

* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.