By Our Man at the London Stadium
LONDON STADIUM – Newcastle United arrived in East London dreaming of Euro glory, but left with their tails between their legs after a second-half blitz saw West Ham United rip up the script and smash them 3-1 yesterday afternoon.
The Hammers turned in a performance worthy of a Champions League spot, fuelled by an ice-cold brace from talismanic winger Jarrod Bowen and a spectacular late dagger from Brazilian wizard Lucas Paqueta.
But it was heartbreak for the travelling Toon Army, who thought they were on for a comfortable win after Swedish sensation Alexander Isak opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the 18th minute.
Newcastle were solid, structured, and coasting towards half-time, making David Moyes look like he needed a strong cup of tea and a tactical rethink.
MAGPIE MELTDOWN
Whatever Moyes put in that tea, it worked. West Ham came out for the second half a completely different animal, pressing high and playing with a ferocious pace that left the Magpies dizzy. The inevitable equaliser arrived in the 52nd minute.
A lightning counter-attack saw Michail Antonio muscle Kieran Trippier off the ball, providing a perfect pull-back for Jarrod Bowen to smash home the rebound after Nick Pope parried his initial shot. 1-1, and the London Stadium was rocking.
The winning goal, however, was pure poetry. Paqueta, who had been frustratingly quiet, suddenly burst into life on the hour mark. He chipped a sublime ball over the top of the flat-footed defence, finding Bowen again.
The England star took one touch, steadied himself, and curled a magnificent strike around Pope and into the top corner. 2-1 to the Hammers!
PAQUETA’S DAGGER
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe threw on all his attacking talent, but the damage was done. They pressed, they probed, but they never looked like beating Lukasz Fabiański again.
Then, just to rub salt in the Magpies’ gaping wounds, Paqueta delivered the final killer blow in the 89th minute. Collecting the ball 25 yards out, he unleashed a wickedly swerving shot that dipped and hammered off the crossbar before nestling in the net. A truly sensational goal that sealed the points. 3-1!
West Ham’s European push is firmly back on track, thanks to this stunning comeback victory.
For Newcastle, it’s a miserable trip back to Tyneside and serious questions about their ability to cope when their backs are against the wall.
This was a proper HAMMER BLOW to their top-four ambitions!