This Saturday afternoon saw Slaven Bilic’s West Ham United visit St. James’ Park just four days after Newcastle’s 3-3 thriller against Manchester United. Just as it was Tuesday, St. James’ Park was a lively atmosphere as Newcastle put in another brilliant performance.
Still buzzing from the excitement midweek, Newcastle came flying out of the gates. The Magpies midfield was breaking up every key pass coming through the center, eventually setting up their first goal through Ayoze Perez. The young striker was a part of some wonderful connecting play as debutant Jonjo Shelvey found Georginio Wijnaldum who laid a pass off for Perez. His shot was then brilliant placed into the bottom left corner of the net from outside the area.
It would only be seven minutes until star-signing Wijnaldum doubled the lead. Shelvey picked out the run of Daryl Janmaat with a brilliant pass that traveled more than half the distance of the pitch. The full-back did well to pick out the run of Wijnaldum, who made no mistake from six-yards out.
It was a wonderful debut for Shelvey, who had just joined the club earlier this week. The ex-Swansea City man had a brilliant first-half as he had a key pass in the build up of both Newcastle goals, one of them traveling over 40 yards with pinpoint accuracy to Janmaat. It was a display of brilliance that supporters won’t forget any time soon.
The defensive unit also had a wonderful first half as centre-back duo Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba commanded their box, making no chance easy for the Hammers. Coloccini had a memorable clearance as the Newcastle captain slid in to prevent Michail Antonio from tapping in Aaron Cresswell’s dangerous cross.
West Ham asks questions of the Newcastle defense
West Ham found themselves back in the game early on in the second half due to a horrendous error by Mbemba. The Congolese defender played a weak back pass to Rob Elliot that West Ham substitute Nikica Jelavic intercepted with ease. Jelavic then rounded Elliot before putting the ball into the back of the net, only four minutes after entering the game.
Shelvey, who had such a brilliant first half, struggling to replicate his earlier performance for most of the second half as West Ham began to deny him the ball. When he did find himself on the ball, Newcastle were at their attacking best as Shelvey consistently picked out the runs of his forwards. When not on the ball, Shelvey did a wonderful job to position himself, intercepting most passes in his direction.
Both sides had their fair share of chances in the second half with West Ham controlling most of the play. Antonio and Enner Valencia were real threats for the Newcastle defense, showcasing blazing pace and dangerous crosses all half. In the closing moments of the game, West Ham nearly found themselves level through Cheikhou Kouyate as Newcastle desperately hung on to their 2-1 lead and deservedly all three of the points.
