Newcastle United was held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United at St James’ Park, but it is easy to overlook Eddie Howe’s side’s progress on a night when the Magpies set a new club record.
Newcastle United was a point ahead. At the very least, technically. But it didn’t feel that way at the end when Fabian Schar booted the ball away in frustration after the Magpies’ 1-1 draw with West Ham at St James’ Park. If there was ever a reaction that demonstrated how far Newcastle had come in a week that saw Eddie Howe’s side reach their first League Cup final since 1976, this was it.
Callum Wilson admitted that his team stopped doing the things that brought us success’ after scoring in the third minute against the Hammers on Saturday. Not only did Newcastle fail to go for the throat after such an electric start, but the hosts also conceded a sloppy equalizer after the half-hour mark when Lucas Paqueta leveled from a corner. It turned out to be West Ham’s only shot on goal.
Nonetheless, fourth-placed Newcastle set a club record by going 16 games unbeaten in the Premier League to maintain their position in the top four. In the process, Newcastle reached the magical 40-point mark, a feat that would have gone unnoticed by most. Not long ago, the black-and-whites were fighting relegation.
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Howe’s team also gave up their first league goal since November on this night. November, yes. Last season, in what was one of Newcastle’s final home games before the takeover, the Magpies conceded four goals to West Ham.
That day, Freddie Woodman started in goal, Matt Ritchie and Jacob Murphy started as converted wing-backs, and Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez, and Emil Krafth lined up in the heart of the defense. Much has changed at the club since then – in so many ways – that even a point against West Ham felt like three, let alone two.
“These types of games feel like defeats because of our form this season,” Howe told reporters. “That’s why, when you’re in my shoes, it’s important to see the big picture and see other things.
“I have to make sure the players don’t overreact to what is a point. People may say it’s a disappointment, but that depends on your perspective. You can see four draws in five games or 16 games unbeaten.
“I like to be realistic and look at things objectively, rather than through rose-colored glasses, but I can’t criticize the players for what they’ve delivered this week or today. We would have preferred to win the game, but it has been a very positive week for us.”
Newcastle had booked their place at Wembley earlier in the week, but this game against West Ham was the first of three crucial league fixtures before the cup final against Manchester United later this month – and a lot was riding on it. In his program notes, Jamaal Lascelles stated that Newcastle was “capable of achieving something special in the Premier League,” while Kieran Trippier reminded his teammates that “we need to be on it” due to how “relentless” the top flight is.
After all, Newcastle was flying in fourth place, and the Magpies had the opportunity to strengthen their grip on a place in the race for Europe. As a result, it’s easy to see why players and staff were thinking about the West Ham game from the moment the team photo was taken in the dressing room following the semi-final wins over Southampton on Tuesday night.
Newcastle may have been missing suspended talisman Bruno Guimaraes, whose absence was felt, but the hosts certainly came out firing. Trippier rolled the ball through Emerson’s legs down the right to Almiron with less than a minute remaining. Almiron appeared to have kept the ball in play as he cut the ball back to Willock, who lashed it into the net after some deft footwork inside the box. Willock’s joy, however, was short-lived, as a VAR check revealed that the ball had crossed the byline when Almiron cut it back.
However, rather than becoming frustrated, Newcastle responded admirably as West Ham struggled to find their feet. In the third minute, Sean Longstaff stole the ball from Lucas Paqueta in the middle of the park and played superb through ball to send Wilson racing clear one-on-one. Wilson hadn’t scored since October, but you’d never know it after he calmly slotted the ball past Fabianski and into the net.
It was a perfect start, but Newcastle did not capitalize on their advantage. West Ham began to gain a foothold in the middle of the park, led by skipper Declan Rice.
In the 31st minute, West Ham fired a warning shot when Paquet’s deflected effort went just wide, and the visitors level from the resulting corner. Rice’s corner flew over several Newcastle heads, and the unmarked Paqueta had the second he needed to take a touch at the back post and sidefoot the ball past Nick Pope.
The momentum of the game shifted, but Newcastle wrestled back control after the break and Howe’s side was camped in West Ham’s half for large periods. Howe needed someone to deliver that final blow – Joelinton had even resorted to diving inside the box before the hour mark – and the Newcastle boss turned to his bench in the 69th minute to throw Anthony Gordon on for his debut.
Gordon made an immediate impact, and Almiron’s pass found him in the center circle just inside West Ham’s half in the 76th minute. There didn’t appear to be a chance, but Gordon took a touch before breaking down West Ham’s defense with a clever through ball that sent Wilson clear. Nayef Aguerd made a fantastic recovery tackle to deny England international Wilson just as he was about to pull the trigger.
It felt like a big moment, but Wilson had another big chance late on when he got his head on the end of Trippier’s teasing free-kick – but his effort was straight at Fabianski. There would be no grandstand finish. At least not this time.
Pre-order our 48-page Carabao Cup final special right now! Get your copy HERE as Newcastle United prepares for a historic day out at Wembley. From February 15, it will also be available at local participating retailers.
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