I came here with PSG last season, so I knew what it was going to be like – Return to St James’ Park | OneFootball

Carlos Soler has been talking about his two visits to St James’ Park, the two games 13 months apart.

On 4 October 2023, the Spain international came to Tyneside for a Champions League match.

Carlos Soler declaring, ‘I came here with PSG last season, so I knew what it was going to be like. I didn’t play but it was a really tough atmosphere and we lost heavily.’

Now on loan at West Ham, the midfielder has taken away happier memories after Monday night’s victory.

The way some people have gone on, you would think that Newcastle United had been up against lower league opposition.

West Ham haven’t had a great early season but they have some really good players and whilst Newcastle United were by far the better team for 50+ minutes, once the second goal went in, the Hammers did well to control things and see out the win.

These last three seasons (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25), Newcastle United have spent €401m (£335m) on new signings, whilst West Ham have spent €486m (£406m) in the same period of time (all figures via Transfermarkt).

The Hammers also have some high quality expensive loan players, Todibo (on loan from Nice) who should have been penalised and a penalty given for his challenge on Wilson, then Carlos Soler on loan from PSG.

When you have the likes of this Spain international midfielder alongside others such as Paqueta and Bowen, if they play to their potential they are going to be a handful.

Carlos Soler taking to the official West Ham site following the win at St James’ Park:

“I came here with PSG last season, so I knew what it was going to be like.

“I didn’t play but it was a really tough atmosphere and we lost heavily.

“So to come here and win like we did, is really good.

“It’s amazing to be able to give the supporters a night like tonight.

“They follow us everywhere and we all really appreciate it.

“I loved it out there, and I love playing.

“I always want to play, but I know it’s the Head Coach who decides the line-up, but I was really pleased to be out there from the start today and in contact with the ball.

“We had a lot of the possession, and created lots of good chances, and we played really well. I think we just all enjoyed playing together as a team, and we deserved to come away with the right result in the end.

“We are a very good team, with good players, and we showed that tonight. We haven’t been in the position that we want to be in the table, but we’ve shown what we can do, and hopefully this can be the start of a really successful season.”

Newcastle 0 West Ham 2 – Monday 25 November 8pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

West Ham:

Soucek 10, Wan-Bissaka 53

Possession was Newcastle 52% West Ham 48%

Total shots were Newcastle 18 West Ham 15

Shots on target were Newcastle 2 West Ham 6

Corners were Newcastle 8 West Ham 3

Touches in the box Newcastle 40 West Ham 17

Newcastle United team v West Ham

Pope; Livramento, Schar, Kelly, Hall; Longstaff (Tonali 57), Bruno (Trippier 84), Willock (Barnes 46), Gordon (Wilson 68), Isak, Joelinton (Murphy 69)