David Moyes watched on as his side conceded early but went on to lead 3-1, three minutes after the break.
They didn’t have another effort on target in what turned out to be the 50+ remaining minutes.
Everything that could go wrong for Eddie Howe’s side, did. Yes somehow, he inspired his players to get back at the Hammers and somehow win 4-3 against all the odds. As well as all the injured players, having to play the final stages with only ten men.
The referee was a shambles for Newcastle United, letting play restart despite Schar caught in the face and still on the ground, whilst a number of poor West Ham challenges weren’t properly punished. The referee also didn’t have to give Gordon his second yellow, he knocked the ball away only a few yards and plenty of time leniency is often shown in these circumstances.
Amusing then, laughable, that David Moyes reacts to all of this with ‘We had so many things that didn’t go in our favour today…’
How embarrassing, the referee clearly favoured the visitors and reality was that everything went against Eddie Howe in every conceivable way!
David Moyes predictably moaning about the two penalties but fact is they WERE penalties.
Both times Anthony Gordon showed pace and brilliant determination to get himself between the opposition player and the ball, the West Ham players then kicking his leg away both times. They didn’t mean to do so but were outdone by Gordon’s committed play, which led to their errors, swinging their boot and catching the Newcastle winger.
David Moyes should be looking at the fact that despite pretty much everything going in his favour, he couldn’t prevent a 3-1 lead becoming a 4-3 defeat.
David Moyes speaking to BBC Match of the Day after Newcastle United’s astonishing win over the Hammers:
“We did a lot of good things but didn’t defend well enough.
“We scored some good goals and we were a threat but in the end we conceded one more goal than they did.
“We scored a minute into the second half but I don’t think you can say we were in control at 3-1.
“As you know, Newcastle shooting down that way [towards the Gallowgate] it is always tough.
“It’s small margins.
“I think a couple of decisions the referee made on penalty kicks. I think the second one, [Anthony] Gordon restricts Kalvin Phillips from kicking the ball. I actually think it’s the wrong decision.
“We had so many things that didn’t go in our favour today but there were a lot of good things the players did.
“We have lost a game when we should have won a game.
“This is a tough place to come and for a long period we looked as though we were going to be the side who finished on top.
“We didn’t see the job through and weren’t tough enough.
“We had to be harder to play against and we didn’t do that.
“We all learn.
“Football always gives you another chance to try and win and hopefully we will try and do that in the next game.”
Stats via BBC Sport:
Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 – Saturday 30 March 12.30pm
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Isak 6 pen, 77 pen, Barnes 83, 90
West Ham:
Antonio 21, Kudus 45+10, Bowen 48
Possession was West Ham 40% (37%) Newcastle 60% (63%)
Total shots were West Ham 9 (6) Newcastle 24 (12)
Shots on target were West Ham 4 (3) Newcastle 9 (4)
Corners were West Ham 4 (2) Newcastle 3 (1)
Referee: Robert Jones
Newcastle team v West Ham:
Dubravka; Livramento (Almiron 56 (Barnes 67)), Lascelles (Krafth 17 (Hall 57)), Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock (Anderson 57); Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Subs:
Karius, Dummett, Ritchie, White
(Eddie Howe absolutely loving what he saw today – That’s the beauty… Read HERE)
(Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)
(Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 – Never ever doubt the character of this Newcastle United squad – Read HERE)
(This is the photo that all Newcastle United fans will absolutely love today… See HERE)
Newcastle United confirmed Premier League matches to mid-April 2024:
Tuesday 2 April 2024 – Newcastle v Everton (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 6 April 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 13 April 2024 – Newcastle v Spurs (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Wednesday 24 April 2024 – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (8pm)
Saturday 27 April 2024 – Newcastle v Sheff Utd (3pm)
Newcastle United fixtures, including to be confirmed matches:
Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle
Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton
Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)
***Man U v Newcastle waiting for rearranged date
Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)
Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)