Newcastle United secured a vital win against West Ham that moves them out of the relegation zone, helping their chances in the relegation dog fight. Here are five things VAVEL.com learned about the match.
Confidence matters
Having come off the back of an impressive 3-3 draw with Louis Van Gaal’s lack lustre Manchester United earlier this week, Steve McClaren’s side certainly carried the momentum into this game.
The first half was full of constant attacking menace illustrated perfectly from Newcastle’s early Blitzkrieg after going 2-0 up in the first 15 minutes. Goals from Ayoze Perez, who has scored in all four of Newcastle’s league wins and Geordie home Hero Georginio Wijnaldum who has accumulated nine goals at St. James' Park this season, was enough to prevail the home side over Slaven Bilic’s side.
Even though many chances were missed in the game after Wjinaldum was caught wrong footed in a perfect goal scoring opportunity, the promise and potential of Newcastle was clearly on display which certainly impressed the home fans. This flare, long since absent at St. James' Park over the past few seasons, has certainly come to light now after the home side had the 23 attempts on goal, the most the team in Black and White have achieved since September 2014.
Premier proven’ substitutes are the way forward
Newcastle had their fair share of transfer window blunders in the past few seasons. The constant purchase of players unaccustomed to the ferocity of the Premier League has proved to be one of Newcastle’s biggest failings. Well it seems like the board has listened to the fans and found a superb player in the form of Jonjo Shelvey.
The midfielder who was signed for 12 million pounds from Swansea last week, proved to be a great addition to Newcastle as he was involved in both of Newcastle’s goals and had a passing accuracy of over 91%. The ex-Swansea man sharpened up Newcastle’s play this game and provided the accuracy of long balls. His moment of the match was certainly his exquisite 60 yard pass to Daryl Janmaat to set up the second goal.
Mitrovic looks the part but needs to add finishing
Alexsander Mitrovic was Newcastle’s bid at adding goals to the Magpies performances. His all round play has been a delight for Newcastle fans. He is player with the strength to hold the ball up, but there is just the question of his finishing that is troubling the home faithful.
Many games this season the Serbian had the chance to score for the Magpies and so it proved again in this game as he was denied by West Ham Keeper Adrian. If the Newcastle forward can add more goals to his game then the side in Black and White have gained a top class player.
Rob Elliot, where would Newcastle be without him?
Rob Elliot has been a defiant miracle for Newcastle this season. Once the news of Tim Krul’s injury prevented him from playing for the rest of the season, fans were concerned for the Dutchman who had become something of a fan favourite, with his ability in goal debatably keeping Newcastle up last season.
However, it seems that the tide has turned as Number two goalkeeper Elliot looks willing to take the top spot. Elliot was a keeper who had little experience of the Premier League prior to this season, only appearing in a handful of games.
His appointment as the new 'keeper worried some fans, however that worry soon turned to gratitude as his performances have kept Newcastle from falling into disarray, most notably, the away game at Bournemouth which ensured Newcastle’s first win of the season.
This game again proved he is more that capable as a last minute scare from the head of Cheikhou Kouyate was saved by the Newcastle goalkeeper’s knee.
West Ham failure as Payet seemed absent
West ham have looked incredibly menacing this season. A new manager and fresh players has done wonders for the London side that currently lie fifth in the Premier League table. Their top scorer this season however seemed absent for the game as the work of Fabricio Coloccini at centre back helped to subdue his notorious presence.
