West Ham fought back to claim a point at home against Newcastle United. Mohammed Kudus’s late fizzing effort shared the spoils as Newcastle drop two points. The fiery encounter demonstrated the talent that both sides have at their disposal, with both teams delivering an entertaining game.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
Newcastle’s awful start was West Ham’s gain
Embed from Getty ImagesNewcastle were on top of the world on Wednesday night after their incredible 4-1 win against PSG. Eddie Howe’s side may have celebrated a little too much as they made a sluggish start at the London Stadium. After eight minutes a ball was played into the Newcastle box, Nick Pope came off his line and Emerson nicked in and rounded the keeper. Emerson picked out Tomas Soucek who stroked the ball into an empty net for the opening goal.
Bruno Guimaraes could have been sent off after 18 minutes. He was booked for a foul on Emerson, and just minutes later he brought down James Ward-Prowse, but referee Peter Bankes gave him a final warning. It is fair to say, it was a difficult start for Newcastle at the London Stadium.
Isak to the rescue!
Embed from Getty ImagesNewcastle came out fighting in the second half after a below par first 45. Alphonse Areola was forced into a magnificent save to deny Dan Burn from close range. Newcastle ramped up the pressure and equalised through Alexander Isak. He slammed the ball into the net from a knockdown after a controversial free-kick was awarded to the away side.
Three minutes later the Swedish international had flipped the game on it’s head. Kieron Trippier delivered a cross into the box and Isak was on hand to tap in! A quick-fire brace shocked the home side, and sent the Geordie fans crazy. Isak almost had a hattrick, but Nayef Aguerd blocked away the shot as after Isak rounded Areola.
Kudus subbed on to save Hammers!
Embed from Getty ImagesMohammed Kudus scored an 89th minute equaliser for West Ham to take two points away from Newcastle. Kudus replaced Soucek, the goal scorer of West Ham’s first goal with 15 minutes to go. The Ghanian picked up the ball outside the box and rifled a low, powerful shot beyond Pope.
It was a goal that on the balance of play was deserved for the host. A draw was a fair result in a well contested game between two sides who have made positive starts to their Premier League. Eddie Howe would have been the most disappointed of the two managers for a letting a late lead slip, but Newcastle have had a testing week and have come out of it with four Premier League points and a famous Champions League win over PSG.
European commitments not taking a strain
Embed from Getty ImagesBoth sides secured wins in Europe in midweek and resorted back to Premier League duty after a couple of days rest. Although Newcastle started slowly, they found their rhythm and showed no signs of fatigue despite missing a few key players through injury.
West Ham started the game with intensity high energy which Newcastle could not quite deal with. They made the visitors look pretty ordinary in the first half but struggled to create openings to double their lead. Their willingness to let Newcastle dominate the ball was what let them down at Newcastle turned the game around. Late pressure paid off as West Ham claimed a point.
No England call-up for Ward-Prowse is harsh
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Premier League takes another break as the internationals take centre stage next week. England play two games at Wembley against Australia and Italy. James Ward-Prowse was not selected by Gareth Southgate, despite a wonderful start to life at West Ham. His set-piece deliveries continue to be a menace and it is an asset West Ham are taking full advantage of.
The former Saint can feel hard done by that he was not chosen, meanwhile Jarrod Bowen made the cut. Ward-Prowse will use the rejection as fuel to try and convince Southgate he is good enough for the squad ahead of November’s international break, and more importantly the Euros next summer.
