Soucek and Wan-Bissaka goals down uninspired Magpies

Tomas Soucek’s first-half header and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s first goal for his new club gave West Ham their first away win in more than three months as the Hammers became the first team to score more than once at Newcastle this season.

Soucek found space to power in from Emerson Palmieri’s outswinging corner for the 10th-minute opener, setting the visitors on their way to a victory sealed by Wan-Bissaka’s finish eight minutes after the break.

Alexander Isak had a fifth-minute strike ruled out for offside as Newcastle, who had not conceded at home for more than four hours of football, missed out on a victory that would have sent them sixth.

Joe Willock, Isak and Anthony Gordon all had presentable first-half chances but the hosts failed to produce an attempt on target during a lacklustre second-half showing.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka scores his first West Ham goal! ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/3xHDd8gGo2

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 25, 2024

Newcastle vs West Ham: Magpies shot-shy

After three consecutive victories including home wins and clean sheets against Chelsea and Arsenal, Newcastle looked to have turned a corner following a five-match winless run and entered this contest as favourites against inconsistent opponents.

West Ham were the last team to score multiple goals at Newcastle in a memorable thriller in March, leading 3-1 until the 76th minute before an Isak penalty and two Harvey Barnes goals inside the final eight minutes turned the scoreline around.

Barnes had come on as a 67th-minute substitute on that occasion. This time the winger was introduced to replace the injured Willock at half-time, but Newcastle seemed devoid of any creative spark once the action restarted.

Tomáš Souček’s bullet header gives West Ham the lead! 💥 pic.twitter.com/GwGfrxC4Lp

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 25, 2024

In the absence of attacking inspiration, manager Eddie Howe might not have expected the team who had held the best defensive record aside from leaders Liverpool to concede again.

Full-back Wan-Bissaka’s goal must have made the home fans wonder where that resolve had gone, collecting Jarrod Bowen’s pass and entering the penalty area to fire in.

Full-time scenes as West Ham claim a big win! ✅ pic.twitter.com/DcNURiwC5Y

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 25, 2024

Premier League table: West Ham looking up

Wan-Bissaka’s fellow defenders had capitulated in their two preceding away games, losing 3-0 at Nottingham Forest and 4-1 at Tottenham, where they had also taken an early lead.

Their reward for a first win on the road since beating Crystal Palace 2-0 in August is a six-point gap above the relegation zone, with sixth-placed Spurs only four points above them.

Tenth-placed Newcastle are three points ahead of West Ham, with Everton the only team above the bottom two to have scored fewer goals than the 13 notched by Howe’s side.