On paper, Newcastle United would batter West Ham, a team who have only won three games this season, compared to the home side’s five. However, in the game that just took place at Tyneside, it was West Ham who dominated Newcastle throughout the entire game.
The Irons defeated the Magpies 2-0 in convincing fashion, with goals from Tomas Soucek, who converted Emerson’s corner in the first half, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka scoring from a Jarrod Bowen pass to secure all three points at St James’ Park. The east London side stay in 14th, with a 4-point gap above Everton.
There was a lot of talk about Julen Lopetegui’s future, with this game and the next being a factor in whether the Spaniard stays or leaves, after they drew 0-0 in a disappointing game against Everton just before the international break.
Lopetegui said on Sky Sports after the game, “we played with an identity, and were able to overcome a very good team in a difficult stadium.”
“We’re happy for the players, the team and most of all the fans, because more than 3,000 came here and have to go a lot of miles home. Now we look forward to the next challenge.”
West Ham play Arsenal at home on Saturday, in a 5:30pm kick-off, however they will have to do it without Lopetegui, as he received a third yellow card of the season.
“I don’t talk about [Europe], only about what we have to do today,” said the West Ham manager, “tomorrow we’re looking at the next challenge and going step-by-step. Not thinking about the long future, it doesn’t help.”
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen spoke to Sky Sports stating, “we needed a performance, and we did that. Newcastle always score at home, so to keep a clean sheet and score twice, it’s a tough place to come to.”
“We did that perfectly. You always play to win the games. It was down to us to get the second goal, if you settle on a lead it can come back to haunt you, and that was the level it takes to play for this club. The desire, work rate and quality shown from everyone. It is important that we rest up. It’s a massive game on Saturday [vs Arsenal].”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says he did not like the last half hour of the game, revealing that they made bad decisions with the ball and lost their way.
“For both goals, we’ll know we made individual mistakes. You can’t give a player the quality of Soucek’s aerial ability that space in the box. It’s disappointing from our perspective, having started the game so well and put them under intense pressure, and then the second goal is too easy. It’s uncharacteristic of us, because we’ve defended so well in recent weeks.”
