Big positives from St James' Park send-off - Newcastle 3-1 West Ham

A win and plenty of positives from our final home game of the 2025/26 season, as Newcastle United saw off West Ham by three goals to one.

In many ways, it was a day of mixed emotions. Sadness as we waved goodbye to Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth, frustration that it's all 'too little too late' in our quest for Europe, but joy to see back-to-back home wins, watch Will Osula shine again, and Nick Woltemade back in the goals after a tough few months.

It was a much-improved display offering signs of hope at the end of a tough campaign, as we moved the ball quickly, looked more fluid in attack and posed a greater goal threat thanks to Osula's pace, Jacob Ramsey's positivity and moments of invention between Woltemade and Bruno Guimaraes, with Harvey Barnes also performing in a rare start on the right.

The result moves us up to 11th in the table on 49 points, above Everton and Fulham, level with Chelsea, who play Spurs on Tuesday, and two behind Sunderland and three behind 8th-place Brentford heading into the final day of the season next Sunday.

Goodbyes, goals and something to build on

Howe made three changes from last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, as Kieran Trippier, Jacob Ramsey and Harvey Barnes replaced Dan Burn, Joelinton and Jacob Murphy.

That meant Nick Woltemade just behind Will Osula once again, with Ramsey on the left and Barnes down the right in more of a 4-4-1-1 formation, and it worked a treat.

We looked far more fluid and confident, as the Hammers couldn’t live with Ramsey’s movement off the line and Osula’s freakish pace and energy, although it was Barnes and Woltemade who combined for our opener. Great to see Big Nick back in the goals, as his controlled volley sent us 1-0 up at the Leazes End on 14 minutes.

Then it was 2-0 just moments later, and what a well-worked goal it was on 18 minutes. Bruno and Ramsey combined, before the latter threaded a lovely pass (his second in a week) to set Osula in behind to score. Another for the Dane, our player of the month for April, and no less than our slick first-half display deserved.

West Ham came back into it briefly, forcing two superb saves from Pope after Castellanos replaced centre-back Todibo in an early attacking change, but we were by far the better side and seemed good value for our two-goal advantage at the break.

The first major moment of the second half saw Sandro Tonali forced off with a slight hamstring issue, seeing Joe Willock come on for the final 40 minutes, for what may be his last cameo at St James' as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract.

He's been brighter in recent weeks and played a big role in our third goal, capitalising on Pablo's poor giveaway, bursting down the right and setting up Osula to score again, this time at the Gallowgate. 3-0 Newcastle, nine for the season for Big Will and five in his last six games.

To their credit, the Hammers responded immediately with a stunning finish from the lively Castellanos, who struck superbly to beat Pope from range. We reverted to a back five, which seemed to baffle a few inside the stadium, as Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy entered the action before Trippier was given his moment of applause. Replaced by Anthony Elanga in the 85th minute, one of the most important signings in the club's recent history was given a standing ovation, capping off a great send-off for Tripps, who was celebrated by Wor Flags in their pre-game display. 'Forever a Newcastle United legend. Thank you for the memories.'

And that was that, as a comfortable 3-1 win was followed by a lap of the pitch, featuring emotional moments for departing duo Trippier and Krafth, an unused Anthony Gordon noticeably on the fringes and Fabian Schar serenaded as many Mags hope this wasn't his final season at Newcastle United.

Back to the game itself, I thought Bruno was everywhere in an all-action display, Botman looked quietly impressive with another strong display, Osula was an absolute livewire and took his goals well, while Ramsey and Woltemade added some creativity to our build up play in the final third.

Still only one clean sheet in our last 15 games, and still highly likely that we'll miss out on Europe, leaving us wishing we didn't concede late at Forest last weekend, but that was much more like it. 

Keep the faith. HWTL!

Newcastle XI: Pope - Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall - Tonali, Bruno, Ramsey, - Osula, Woltemade, Barnes.

Subs: Ramsdale, Wissa, Gordon, Elanga, J. Murphy, Willock, Burn, A. Murphy, Neave

West Ham XI: Hermansen - Wan-Bissaka, Disasi, Mavrapanos, Todibo, Diouf - Fernandes, Soucek - Bowen, Wilson, Summerville. 

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Taty, Pablo, Magassa, Scarles, Potts, Kante