Hammers win to ease pressure on Lopetegui
NEWCASTLE, England — West Ham produced a clinical away performance to beat a resurgent Newcastle 2-0 on Monday, easing the pressure on its beleaguered manager Julen Lopetegui.
Tomas Soucek headed the visitors in front against the run of play at St James' Park, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka grabbed a rare goal in the second half to double the Hammers' lead.
Newcastle was unable to capitalize on the chances it created, failing to build on the momentum of recent wins against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
The result, only West Ham's second win on the road this season, lifts it to 15 points, just three behind 10th-placed Newcastle, which missed out on the chance to move into the top six.
It will be a huge relief for Lopetegui, whose future has been a matter of mounting speculation, just months after he replaced David Moyes.
"We are happy, because we achieved the three points, which is one important thing, but above all, because I think that we played well," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.
"We are happy, but tomorrow we will be working hard, looking forward to the next challenge (against Arsenal). To think further into the future doesn't help, ever."
The home side made the early running, and in-form forward Alexander Isak had the ball in the net in the fifth minute after a delicate dink over Lukasz Fabianski, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
West Ham, expected to face a tough test on Newcastle's home turf, showed little adventure in the opening stages.
But, its first real foray up the pitch resulted in a corner, and the unmarked Soucek powered home a header from Emerson Palmieri's delivery in the 10th minute.
Newcastle, on a three-match winning run in all competitions, enjoyed the bulk of the possession as a lively first half unfolded, but West Ham was robust in defense and was a constant threat on the counter.
Anthony Gordon had a glorious chance to level after a poor clearance from Jean-Clair Todibo, but fired straight at Fabianski.
Minutes later, Isak chested down a superb cross from Bruno Guimaraes, but steered narrowly wide on the stretch.
Eddie Howe's Newcastle was again on the front foot at the start of the second half, but it was West Ham that doubled its lead through Wan-Bissaka.
The former Manchester United man scored his first goal for West Ham, and just his third career goal, after picking up Jarrod Bowen's pass and firing across goalkeeper Nick Pope and into the net in the 53rd minute.
AFP
