Newcastle moved level on points with fifth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League as they boosted their Champions League hopes by beating West Ham 1-0 away from home.
Newcastle now head into Sunday’s Carabao Cup final versus Liverpool, live on Sky Sports, with a much-needed confidence boost after recently losing defensive duo Sven Botman and Lewis Hall to injury, as well as Anthony Gordon to suspension for the trip to Wembley.
Bruno Guimaraes’ second-half effort proved to be the deciding factor after he latched on to Harvey Barnes’ cross to poke Newcastle into the lead (64), but it was a goal that West Ham claimed should have been ruled out after Alexander Isak appeared to push Max Kilman from a potentially offside position when the cross came in as the defender tried to head the ball.
“They scored and the goal is frustrating from our perspective,” Potter said after the game. “We think it is clear. Two hands on the back of the defender. It is a push. He [Isak] didn’t celebrate and thought it was a push.”
Barnes himself had gone close to giving the Magpies’ the advantage before the break but was twice denied by Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, one of the stand-out players for them.
While Areola impressed at one end, his team-mates flattered to deceive at the other as West Ham boss Graham Potter was left ruing his team’s missed chances from earlier in the game, Tomas Soucek spooning his effort over the bar from close range and Mohammed Kudus squandering his opportunity when through on goal.
The hosts had won back-to-back games against Arsenal and Leicester heading into this fixture but fell short on this occasion.
Guimaraes: We want to fight for the Champions League
Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes speaking to Sky Sports:
“It’s a massive win for us, we want to fight for the Champions League again. It was a big win for us with big character to keep the clean sheet. It’s a good win to get the confidence back before the final.
Match winner Bruno Guimaraes was in fine voice in front of travelling Newcastle fans singing at the London Stadium after their 1-0 win against West Ham.
“Of course, when you don’t win games, confidence goes down a little bit, but when we play like that, we show the character of the team. To be very honest, at our very best, we can beat any team in the world.
“We just have to be consistent. We played well, we kept a clean sheet – the most important thing is the three points.”
Howe: Pleasing end to a challenging week
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe:
“Massive win, not our best game, but one of our best games. Always going to be tight and difficult team to play against. We were everything defensively that we haven’t been in recent weeks.
“Challenging week but really pleased. That was a hard-fought win for us. Based on good defensive work from the team.
Eddie Howe praised Newcastle’s 1-0 win against West Ham, saying his players showed a lot of heart ahead of facing Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
“I thought Harvey [Barnes] had his moments and his assist for the goal was a top-quality cross. He’s capable of those decisive moments. So really pleased for him and Bruno to get the goal.”
Potter: Newcastle goal was a clear push
West Ham boss Graham Potter:
“I feel for the players. They put so much into the game. Really committed performance. We started the game well. We had to defend well at times. We had our moments and they had theirs.
Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and West Ham United’s Oliver Scarles battle for the ball
“They scored and the goal is frustrating from our perspective. We think it is clear. Two hands on the back of the defender, it is a push. He [Isak] didn’t celebrate and thought it was a push.
“We didn’t do enough to win the game. We can improve our attacking play. Overall, the boys gave it their all.”
Perfect pick-me-up for Newcastle
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:
It was by no means a vintage performance from Newcastle but they walk away with three crucial points in the race for Champions League football.
Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes celebrates scoring against West Ham
Up to sixth and level on points with reigning champions Man City. Howe’s side rode their luck at times, with Nick Pope’s clean sheet kept intact by West Ham’s finishing rather than the performance of the goalkeeper, but they won’t care.
The Magpies boss described the build-up to this fixture as “challenging” after losing Hall, Gordon and Botman, but this win is the perfect pick-me-up ahead of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday – a game Guimaraes compared to the “World Cup final” while speaking to Sky Sports after the win.
As for West Ham, it is clear they need a presence up front. They were the better side for much of this fixture but lacked a figure through the middle to make those chances count.
They appear to be safe from the drop, with 16 points separating them and Ipswich in 18th. Potter has done well to steady the ship and guide them to safety. Next season is when the real pressure to push on will mount.
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