Newcastle 0 West Ham 2 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players

The Mag

·26. November 2024

Newcastle 0 West Ham 2 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players

We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 0 West Ham 2.

Like many inside SJP last night, and I assume those watching on TV, I thought we might put West Ham to the sword.

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We were in good form, they were not, and we seemed to have found a formation that had clicked.

A win would have taken us into a great position in the league. I should have known better…

The first thing I need to say is that West Ham were excellent. So much so that a Hammers-supporting mate of mine texted me to “apologise for our best performance in years.” I thought Jarrod Bowen was particularly good.

Newcastle started off looking good, then contrived to get worse as the game progressed. Every substitution had a detrimental effect on the team, and by the end, I wasn’t sure where Isak and Hall were meant to be playing. I’m not sure they did.

Both West Ham goals could have been defended much better (our team’s understanding of zonal marking appears to be ‘stand still’), and we should have had a penalty. But overall, we got what our performance deserved; nothing.

Newcastle 0 West Ham 2 – Player ratings:

Nick Pope – 6

Can’t grumble too much at his performance.

Could maybe have done better for West Ham’s second but their goals were down to poor defending rather than poor goalkeeping.

He still punches when I’d prefer him to catch the ball but I thought his distribution was much improved last night

Tino Livramento – 6

One of our better players, I thought.

Tried to make things happen going forward and kept going all game when others seemed resigned to defeat.

Fabian Schar – 6

Defended OK, in my opinion, and he had to. Blocked, tackled and cleared the ball quite well, but his passing was atypically poor.

Lloyd Kelly – 5

Defenders have to be good for 90 minutes, whereas a goalscorer only has to be good for one; a lesson Lloyd Kelly needs to learn.

He was another who made a few important tackles and blocks (West Ham seemed to bypass our midfield at will), but he made some suicidal passes, and was at fault for West Ham’s first. He was rooted to the spot as Soucek was allowed the freedom of St James’ Park.

Lewis Hall – 6

Another one who did OK, in my view.

Worked harder than just about anyone in black and white and kept going even when he was seemingly thrust into central midfield.

He was up against an inspired Jarrod Bowen and acquitted himself well.

Sean Longstaff – 5

He’s played well of late but last night was a letdown.

He didn’t seem up to the pace of the game and was largely ineffective.

Lost his man for West Ham’s second.

Bruno Guimaraes – 5

An off night for our captain; maybe the trip to South America left him jaded and a spot on the bench would have been more appropriate.

Certainly didn’t shy away from anything – he wanted the ball and tried to make things happen, but was caught in possession more than once, and had very little influence on the game. Picked up an injury.

Joe Willock – 5

Another one who contributed to Newcastle’s recent resurgence, yet who was ineffectual last night.

Nothing came off for him and he was subbed of at half time with another injury.

Anthony Gordon – 5

Tempted to give him 4, as he appeared to give up the ghost as the game went on.

I certainly didn’t appreciate his body language in the second half.

Started well, pressing, chasing and trying to make life difficult for the West Ham defence. But went into his shell as the game started to go West Ham’s way.

Alexander Isak – 5

Another who started brightly.

Had a goal disallowed for offside and missed another good opportunity.

But in common with many of his colleagues, faded into insignificance as the game went on.

Joelinton – 6

Probably our best player in the first half. Energetic, uncompromising and determined.

Popped up all over the park trying to influence things, but in truth, he only had a minimal effect on the game and ran out of ideas before he was hooked.

Subs:

Harvey Barnes – 5

On at half-time but made no difference.

Wasn’t terrible – he tried – but got no change out of West Ham.

Sandro Tonali – 5

As above. Tried his best but West Ham were in full control by the time he came on and he couldn’t change that.

Callum Wilson – 4

One good touch and a couple of insignificant ones.

Should have been awarded a penalty in my opinion but otherwise had no impact on proceedings.

Jacob Murphy – 4

Had clearly been told to get crosses in at every opportunity (Wilson and Isak were both up front when he came on) and to be fair to him, he did exactly that. The problem was that every one of them went to a West Ham player.

Kieran Trippier N/A

Not sure why Eddie thought it was a good idea to introduce him on 84 minutes (I appreciate that Bruno had picked up an injury, so needed subbing off). It meant Tino moving to left back and Lewis Hall wandering aimlessly round the midfield. Any chance of a late comeback went out of the window then.

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 35 West Ham 17

Newcastle United team v West Ham