Newcastle 1-1 West Ham: Gordon makes impact as Toon fail to build on fast start
A frustrating night for Eddie Howe's Mags as we faded after an explosive start to draw 1-1 draw against a much improved West Ham.
A tenth draw of the season and one that sees us slip to fourth following Man Utd's win earlier today, although it's by no means disastrous after Chelsea's 0-0 draw on Friday night was followed by another damaging defeat for Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
Howe made one change from Tuesday, seeing Joelinton drop into a midfield three and Allan Saint-Maxmin make his first Premier League start in five months, replacing the suspended Bruno Guimaraes; who proved to be a big miss. Anthony Gordon was on the bench following his £40m move from Everton, but Alexander Isak (concussion) and Harrison Ashby missed out.
We came out the blocks flying and thought we’d taken an early lead through Joe Willock, who cut in from Miguel Almiron’s cutback and smashed. However, replays showed the ball had gone one out in the build up and VAR chalked it off.
It wasn’t long until frustration went back to elation inside St James’ Park, as Callum Wilson latched onto a lovely through ball from Sean Longstaff. The number nine was in desperate need of a goal but didn’t disappoint, firing past Fabianski after beating the offside trap to score his 10th goal in his last 12 appearances against the Hammers.
Joelinton was a man mountain in the first half and Longstaff started well, yet it was West Ham who shaded the opening 45. They weren’t making it easy for us to play out and that pressure paid off, as Schar (among others) gave the ball away in poor areas. After a Lucas Paqueta shot was detected wide, the Toon-linked Brazilian made it 1-1. It was a poor goal to concede as he stabbed in a corner we failed to clear, but it had been coming. In truth, we were lucky to go into the break level, as Nayef Aguerd headed a huge chance over.
It all felt a bit flat. Too much of our play was a tad slow and predictable, with Bruno’s zip, tenacity and ability to control games missed against the impressive Declan Rice. Anthony Gordon warmed up at the break and you got the feeling he had a big part to play in the second half, but not before Saint-Maximin had a back post effort blocked with what was our first opening after the restart.
As expected, Gordon soon entered the field to a big welcome and he made an immediate impression. There was a pace, directness and intensity to his play, as he released the ball quickly. His biggest contribution saw drift in off the like and slip Wilson in on goal, only for Aguerd to make a last ditch block just as the striker looked destined to spot past Fabianski.
Another huge opening then came Wilson’s way, this time with his head. It was a goal had he directed his effort either side of the goalkeeper, but it was straight down Fabianski’s throat.
Late substitutions saw Elliot Anderson and Jacob Murphy replacing a jaded Joe Willock and Miguel Almiron. Both did OK and we controlled the final stages, but West Ham proved a stubborn nut to crack and we were missing Bruno's inventiveness, also hampered by Isak's absence.
Our final chance fell to Gordon after a half-cleared corner found our new £40m man on the edge of the box. He struck it well and it was heading on target, only for a claret and blue shirt to block it well.
It ended all square and we couldn't have too many complaints. A fair result and frustrating night, yet it's a sign of progression that our 'off nights' still see us avoid defeat - which is more than Liverpool can say following a 3-0 battering at Wolves today.
Joelinton, for me, was the standout player in black and white, proving once again how far he's come as he held his own against the outstanding Rice. Schar was unusually sloppy, giving away the ball in poor areas too many times and Saint-Maximin failed to impress, lacking that sharpness Gordon immediately offered.
Next up, a trip to Bournemouth next weekend.
