Yesterday saw a weakened Newcastle side take on West Ham United at St.James Park. The Magpie’s were without captain Fabricio Coloccini and midfielder Cheick Tiote who faced their first and final match bans. The Hammer’s only doubts were left midfielder Matthew Taylor, and Welsh-man, Jack Collison who is aiming to be back in action by christmas.
The game got off to an explosive start which saw the return of former Magpies, Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll, for the Toon, however, Demba Ba and gaffer Alan Pardew were facing their old club, West Ham.
Kevin Nolan got the Hammer’s off to a great start after he tapped in a mis-hit Joey O’Brien shot on the 37th minute, with Nolan being a former Newcastle player, he refused to celebrate and muted his famous chicken dance.
This was all posterior to an acrobatic over-head kick from Nolan, which unfortunately for the hammers, went harmlessly high and wide.
Andy Carroll was later denied a goal as Newcastle keeper, Tim Krul pulled off a fine save to allow the newcastle fans a little laugh. Carroll was continually booed by the Toon. Newcastle almost equalised before this, as a Demba Ba header was pushed around the post after a messy scuffle in the box, the Newcastle fans thought it had gone in and celebrated too early, before the officlas flagged for a corner kick.
After stating that his Newcaslte sacking was the lowest point of his career, West Ham manager, Sam Allardyce will be jubilant with his sides win, as West Ham took all three points back to East London, as they climbed even further up the table, defying all odds and nesting themelves 6th in the Barclays Premier League.
Newcastle, however, will be a lot less satisfied as they find themselves in 10th picking up 14 points from 11 games.
After 11 games, the Barclays Premier League is starting to shape, and this season has proved a right shocker as we see three teams have broken into the top 7 spots in the league. Everton, West Brom and West Ham all sit, 4th, 5th and 6th pushing Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool down the pecking order.
The league has proved a strange one as we see on of England’s greatest sides sit 13th in the league, Liverpool who have one fit striker in Luis Suarez are having no luck at all.
The table toppers as of yet, are Manchester United as they try and claim the title back from their arch rivals, Manchester City, who are currently champions of the Barclays Premier League.
After being tipped for relagation, West Ham are defying the odds as they sit in a respectable 6th, making them the second highest London team in the league, as they sit six points behind 3rd placed Chelsea.
Newcastle will be looking to improve their home form as they try and recover from a brutal West ham loss, obviously causing the team and fans alike, some pain.
The last time West Ham travelled to Newcastle was two seasons ago, when the Hammers were relegated to the Npower Championship, and that fixture saw them defeated 5-0.
Another Goal Line Techonolgy shout was made in this game as Demba Ba and his team mates were adamant that his header had crossed the line, however, replays proved that the officials got the decision correct.
As well as this, both sides were forced to make early changes after a 50-50 challenge saw Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez come off worse, however, Yossi Benayoun was alo replaced as he hurt his leg. The Israelian winger is having a scan today.
Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew went on to say “We had eight or nine shots but none with any purpose or quality. Newcastle at home must score one, two, three or maybe 4 and we got none today”Whilst West Ham manager, Allardyce said “A newly-promoted side picking up 18 points from 11 games is outstanding.We’ve done a great job up to now, drawing with Manchester City and beating Newcastle”.