3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 | OneFootball

Saturday afternoon’s match ended Newcastle 4 West Ham 3.

Ahead of each match we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the game.

Plenty to talk about after this one…

On this occasion it is ‘Matt Busby said to Joe Harvey…’:

Well, that had just about everything.

A ‘barnestorming’ comeback, two penalties, injuries galore, and a stupid red card. We hit the woodwork, had several big chances and weren’t helped by the referee either.

Hats off to the ball boy at the Gallowgate End who prevented Mohammed Kudus performing a quite ridiculous goal celebration. Absolutely brilliant!

POSITIVES

Comeback Kids

This time we came from behind to secure all three points, unlike previous home fixtures against Luton and Bournemouth when we could only salvage a point.

Credit to everyone who made it happen but a special mention for our goalscorers.

Alexander Isak, as cool as ice in dispatching two penalties, then Harvey Barnes, a fantastic brace, the second of which was an absolute belter.

We got what we deserved

Whichever way you cut it, whether it was expected goals, possession, total shots, shots on target or dangerous attacks, we were better than West Ham all day and thoroughly deserved to win.

That it took three goals in the last thirteen minutes is academic, we found a way.

Other results went our way

Wolves lost. Man United were pegged back after somehow looking like they’d won. Chelsea could only draw against 10 man Burnley and I expect Brighton will drop points at Anfield later today.

Oh, and West Ham lost when they were 3-1 up, with less than a quarter of an hour left on the clock.

Lewis Hall upstaged Emile Krafth and Harvey Barnes only got on the pitch because Miggy Almiron limped off.

I’m not getting why Lewis Hall didn’t get straight onto the pitch when Dan Burn shuffled into the centre of defence, when Lascelles went off. That would have been two changes, yet Eddie elected to make three. Once young Lewis got on, he was class.

What I really like about him is his first instinct is to move the ball forward. Surely he starts against Everton?

In addition, thank goodness we found a way of introducing Harvey Barnes who nearly scored with his first touch, made an unbelievable run and finished with aplomb for our equaliser, before whacking that curling effort past Fabianski for the winner.

Get rid of the keeper

I’m sorry but Dubravka had tested my patience weeks ago. Another calamitous performance yesterday.

When Antonio drove forward to make it 1-1, the Slovakian was still on his line as the West Ham forward reached the edge of the box. The back four were playing a high line and got caught out but the keeper needs to patrol his box if the defence aren’t playing deep.

His positioning for their second was all over the place and a weak hand couldn’t stop Kudus’ effort.

As for their third, I’ll leave it there, but before I do, the Hammers should have equalised in the 98th minute because of his flapping.

I made it four players went off injured and that’s before you count Willock who doesn’t look fit and neither does Schar.

Flash is suspended for two acts of crass stupidity in what was an otherwise MOTM display.

Will the ten who finished yesterday start against Everton?

Stats via BBC Sport:

Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 – Saturday 30 March 12.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 6 pen, 77 pen, Barnes 83, 90 (Gordon red card 90+4)

West Ham:

Antonio 21, Kudus 45+10, Bowen 48

Possession was West Ham 40% (37%) Newcastle 60% (63%)

Total shots were West Ham 9 (6) Newcastle 24 (12)

Shots on target were West Ham 4 (3) Newcastle 9 (4)

Corners were West Ham 4 (2) Newcastle 3 (1)

Referee: Robert Jones

Newcastle team v West Ham:

Dubravka; Livramento (Almiron 56 (Barnes 67)), Lascelles (Krafth 17 (Hall 57)), Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock (Anderson 57); Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Subs:

Karius, Dummett, Ritchie, White

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after West Ham thriller – Read HERE)

(David Moyes embarrasses himself with comments after Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 thriller – Read HERE)

(Eddie Howe absolutely loving what he saw today – That’s the beauty… Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 – Never ever doubt the character of this Newcastle United squad – Read HERE)

(This is the photo that all Newcastle United fans will absolutely love today… See HERE)

Newcastle United confirmed Premier League matches to mid-April 2024:

Tuesday 2 April 2024 – Newcastle v Everton (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 6 April 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 13 April 2024 – Newcastle v Spurs (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Wednesday 24 April 2024 – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (8pm)

Saturday 27 April 2024 – Newcastle v Sheff Utd (3pm)

Newcastle United fixtures, including to be confirmed matches:

Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle

Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)