Newcastle United secured a vital 1-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Monday, boosting their Premier League position and providing a morale boost ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. Bruno Guimarães’ second-half goal proved the difference in a tightly contested match.
The win moves Newcastle up to sixth in the Premier League table. Eddie Howe’s side, hampered by injuries and suspensions, had won only one of their previous four games.
West Ham, however, could have taken the lead in the first minute. Tino Livramento missed a clearance, allowing Tomas Soucek a clear opportunity, but the midfielder fired over from close range.
Newcastle gradually improved, with Harvey Barnes, making his first league start since December 7th, twice testing West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Areola first saved Barnes’ close-range effort from a Kieran Trippier cross, and then produced another stop to deny a Barnes header.
The decisive moment came in the second half. Moments after Areola made a brilliant save to prevent a Max Kilman own goal, Guimarães scored, turning in Barnes’ lofted pass.
West Ham had penalty appeals waved away in the second half when Jarrod Bowen went down under a challenge in the box. The home side also felt there was a foul in the build-up to Guimarães’ goal, claiming a push on Kilman.
Despite these protests, West Ham struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal largely untroubled. The defeat leaves West Ham in 16th place in the table.
The victory provides Newcastle with valuable momentum as they prepare for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, where they will aim to end a 70-year wait for a major trophy.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.