West Ham pulled off a shock and much-needed win over Newcastle United to breathe hope and life into their bid for Premier League survival.
The Hammers came close to taking an early lead against the Magpies through captain and talisman Jarrod Bowen after just four minutes.
But in what felt so typical of the last two years at West Ham, Newcastle went straight up the other end and scored through Jacob Murphy.
After conceding early against Leeds, West Ham could have gone into their shells and started feeling sorry for themselves.
Especially given the dire situation the Hammers found themselves in before the game, cut adrift in the bottom three after just one win from the opening nine matches.
Embarrassing £72m West Ham duo finally grow backbones
And particularly after seeing a penalty on Bowen overturned by VAR.
But West Ham showed some long overdue and very welcome spirit and resilience to turn things around with a thunderous strike from Lucas Paqueta and a Sven Botman own goal before half-time.
Tomas Soucek then slid in to hit home a third at the death after a swift counter-attack.
Nuno Espirito Santo was facing scrutiny and big question marks over his team selection after throwing a number of curve-balls in defeats to Brentford and Leeds.
West Ham fans could not believe the line-ups Nuno fielded in those vital games.
And supporters were proved right to question them when the changes completely backfired.
So all eyes were on Nuno’s team selection for Newcastle. Especially after he had admitted himself that his changes failed to find any solutions.
Nuno came to his senses with the team he named, playing Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf at full-back, bringing in Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts and finally giving Callum Wilson a start up top.
The result was a vastly improved performance which could turn the season on its head.
There were five 10s for West Ham as an embarrassing £72m duo finally grew backbones in the vital win over Newcastle.
Scoring goals at one end and keeping them out at the other have been big problems for West Ham for far too long.
They are the ingredients for relegation, something which has started to seem an inevitability rather than possibility for the Hammers.
But West Ham’s host of expensive flops finally stepped up against Champions League outfit Newcastle.
Five 10s for West Ham in vital win over Newcastle
None more so than two of the biggest let-downs in the club’s recent history.
The Hammers spent a whopping £72m on Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman.
While Kilman has had decent spells, on the whole he and Todibo have been so poor since arriving from Wolves and Nice for £40m and £32m respectively.
Meek, weak and seemingly unable or unwilling to head the ball, the Hammers duo have been a major factor in West Ham’s terrible form.
Their performances have been nothing short of embarrassing, especially this season.
But Kilman and Todibo were two of five 10/10s for West Ham as the £72m duo finally grew backbones in the vital win over Newcastle.
Paqueta, Potts and Bowen lead the way alongside defensive duo
Todibo and Kilman put in arguably their best performances yet for West Ham as they stood up strong to form the foundation for a crucial victory.
Heading everything that came near them, denying space to Newcastle’s attackers and staying focused throughout, the duo finally played to the expectations that came with their price tags and reputations.
Paqueta was head and shoulders West Ham’s man of the match as he orchestrated the victory.
Special mention must also go to young Potts, who was literally a toe away from scoring his first Hammers goal after finally getting the start he has long deserved.
Potts’ strike was ruled out by VAR because the tip of Soucek’s toe was marginally offside.
Potts’ energy and tenacity in midfield was key to the win and he should now keep his place.
Bowen’s tireless running from start to finish showed the true leader he is.
He set the tone for the entire team and makes the Hammers tick. He was so unlucky not to
West Ham player ratings vs Newcastle:
- Alphonse Areola 8
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8.5
- Jean-Clair Todibo 10
- Max Kilman 10
- El Hadji Malick Diouf 8
- Freddie Potts 10
- Mateus Fernandes 8
- Jarrod Bowen 10
- Crysencio Summerville 8.5
- Lucas Paqueta 10
- Callum Wilson 7
- SUBS: Tomas Soucek 8, Kyle Walker-Peters 7, Igor 6.5
