Newcastle United had enjoyed a decent start to their new English top-flight campaign. After a shaky first few weeks, they fared well for a side returning to the Premier League this season and slowly come back to their regular grind. They were as high as eleventh on the table with fourteen points from eleven games. They had won five, drawn two and lost two of the nine-game stretch in the middle all over.
Things have fallen apart since for the Magpies and they are suffering from the tenacity of the English league. They are now 15th in the league. However, before today’s game, they had collected just one point from their last fifteen possible. They are still just two points off the relegation and relegation now looks a possibility.
However, today’s 2-3 result with them winning a crucial match against fellow struggling side West Ham United will give them a huge boost going into the second half of the season. In a league where results after each match week can send a club relegation to top ten, Newcastle will have to continue their fight if they wish to stay afloat this season.
Here are the player ratings from tonight’s impressive win for Rafa Benitez’s men.
Rob Elliot: 8
An impressive display despite conceding early on. He was on hand to save the important penalty.
DeAndre Yedlin: 6
He covered for his defensive lapses with incredible speed and good link-up play in attack.
Jamaal Lascelles: 7
Did well to control Andy Carroll and won the battle against the Englishman which eventually helped his team snatch three points
Ciaran Clark: 6.5
Worked really well alongside Lascelles and marshalled the defence really well on the night.
Javier Manquillo: 7.5
Was impressive both in attack and defence tonight.
Mo Diame: 7.5
Brought in with both Mikel Merino and Isaac Hayden out of action, he repaid the faith of the manager with a goal on the night.
Henri Saivet: 7
A poor pass to concede the first goal and a brilliant free-kick to cancel out his mistake, he had a good night given the fact that he is not a regular for Newcastle United.
Matt Ritchie: 7
Hit the post with a good effort and was relentless in terms of creativity on the night.
Christian Atsu: 8
A dangerous player when his team is playing attacking football, the Hammers were all over the place while defending against Atsu.
Dwight Gayle: 6.5
A hard-working display from a forward is a rare sight and that is exactly what he offered tonight.
Joselu: 6.5
Did well to hold off balls and can be used as a target man for Newcastle in upcoming matches.
Substitutes
Ayoze Perez: 5
Came on after all the action was over.
Chancel Mbemba: 6
Did well to shore up the defence and see out the Hammers to win all three points for his side.
