Newcastle United staged a remarkable late comeback to beat West Ham United at St James’ Park in one of the Premier League games of the season. The home side trailed 3-1 late in the second half and had lost three players to injury but scored three times in 13 minutes to snatch an unlikely victory.
Manager Eddie Howe had talked about using the international break to reset his team’s season and mount a push for European qualification. However, Newcastle had been struggling with poor form, staring at a fourth defeat in five top-flight matches. The nature of this victory could potentially re-energize the team.
Alexander Isak converted penalties in each half and substitute Harvey Barnes came on to devastating effect, scoring twice, including the 90th-minute winner. West Ham had initially taken control of the game with goals from Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, and Jarrod Bowen after Isak’s opener. Newcastle’s injuries to Jamaal Lascelles, Tino Livramento, and substitute Miguel Almiron seemed to further diminish their chances.
But Newcastle managed to turn the game around, even with a late red card for Anthony Gordon. Eddie Howe’s use of substitutes, including bringing on Lewis Hall, Elliot Anderson, and Barnes, had a dramatic impact on the team’s performance. It was an incredible turnaround.
The victory was much-needed for Newcastle, who have been facing a challenging season. The match epitomized the team’s struggles with injuries and poor concessions. However, it also showcased their resilience and ability to come from behind to secure a win for the first time this season.
In terms of injuries, Newcastle suffered another blow with Lascelles being taken off due to a knee injury. This adds to their growing list of injured players, including Sven Botman and Lewis Miley who were injured during the international break. The team had to make positional changes to accommodate the injuries, which affected their defensive stability.
One recurring issue for Newcastle has been their vulnerability to counter-attack goals. In several matches at St James’ Park, opponents have exploited this weakness, including West Ham in this game. This is something that Eddie Howe will need to address to improve the team’s defensive performance.
Looking ahead, Newcastle’s next match is against Everton on April 2nd. The team will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeat against Everton and secure a win at St James’ Park. They have had success against Everton in the past, winning their past three meetings at home, but they will need to rectify their defensive issues to come out on top.
Overall, Newcastle’s victory against West Ham was a thrilling and unexpected turnaround. It showcased the team’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity. However, they will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities to continue their push for European qualification.