On a frigid Tyneside night, West Ham finally remembered how to fight back. It was even better for beleaguered manager Julen Lopetegui, but the team, inspired by outstanding performances from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen, showed a kind of ruthlessness that was strangely absent from the Newcastle game. showed great accuracy.
Clever goals from Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka strengthened Lopetegui's fragile job security as Newcastle's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League ended, with West Ham level on points with Eddie Howe's side. He moved up to 14th place with a difference of 3.
Before a match that could decide his tenure, Lopetegui took time to revisit the statue of Sir Bobby Robson that stands just outside St James's Park. The West Ham manager played under Robson at Barcelona during his time as a goalkeeper and learned a lot from him.
Thirty years on, and with his team three points clear of the relegation zone at kick-off, Lopetegui desperately needs to convince Robson of the kind of performance he cherished from his West Ham players here. there were. East London clubs rarely change managers mid-season, but there are strong indications that the former Spain manager's future depends on his side's performance against Tyneside and Saturday's home game against Arsenal. there were.
Lopetegui was aware that a heavy defeat could end his hopes of surviving at least until the weekend, with former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic also reportedly on hand, but this time the manager But it wasn't just the commander. . West Ham technical director Tim Steiten, who was largely responsible for the club's spending spree of more than £100m this summer, is now aware that he is under forensic investigation.
Undaunted by this off-field political maneuvering, Soucek delighted in putting Howe's defense under an unsightly microscope, heading Lopetegui's team completely unmarked from Emerson's excellent corner kick in the 10th minute. took the lead. Lloyd Kelly suffered an alarming lapse in concentration and Newcastle suddenly found themselves without the suspended Dan Byrne.
His side were in the lead after Alexander Isak's early goal was ruled out for offside, but despite squandering several half-chances from then on, Howe's men were forced to lose their lead in Lopetegui's midfield five. I was irritated.
Tensions were high and the West Ham manager received a yellow card for dissent after plucky left winger Crisencio Somerville was adjudged to have fouled Sean Longstaff. Considering this was the Spaniard's third suspension of the season, he will have to watch Arsenal's game from the stands despite receiving a one-match touchline ban.
Howe's decision to start Joelinton on the right wing rather than the left wing did not work out well. Perhaps the intention was to give Anthony Gordon more freedom on his favored left flank, but the England winger fired straight at Lukasz Fabianski and, after a defensive error by Jean-Clair Todibo, the goalkeeper hit the ball with his feet. I allowed myself to save wisely. The second period began with Howe bringing in Harvey Barnes wide on the left, with Joelinton repositioned into midfield.
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Burns was impressed, but unfortunately for Howe, Burns' presence helped persuade Soucek and Bowen to redouble their efforts. While Soucek tensed every muscle in his attempt to hold the midfield together, Bowen displayed quick feet and an even quicker mind on the right flank.
West Ham doubled their advantage with Bowen playing a key role after Lucas Paqueta took the ball from Bruno Guimarães and played in for the England forward. All that was left to do was for Howe's highly rated player to set up Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the underlap, leaving the right-back with a touch before evading Nick Pope's reach. net. This was only the third goal of Wan-Bissaka's career.
It was the signal for Callum Wilson to come off the home bench for his first appearance in another injury-hit season. He has scored 12 goals in his last 14 appearances with West Ham, and although his penalty shootout appeal was quickly dismissed, this is Lopetegui's night and not even Wilson will spoil it. I couldn't.
