West Ham United secured their first Premier League win in three final evening, defeating Newcastle United 2-0 at St James’ Park.
Targets from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka secured the victory for Julen Lopetegui’s facet, undoubtedly taking part in an enormous function in doubtlessly securing his future with the membership.
The Spaniard has been below enormous strain in current weeks after the sluggish begin to the 2024/25 marketing campaign, however the show on Tyneside has undoubtedly given supporters a purpose to be constructive.
It was a superb attacking and defensive show, taking their probabilities in entrance of aim, earlier than proscribing Eddie Howe’s outfit to restricted alternatives within the course of.
Quite a few first-team members stepped up their efficiency ranges, producing a few of their greatest shows because the season started a few months in the past.
West Ham’s star performers in opposition to Newcastle
Centre-back Max Kilman arrived in a £40m deal from fellow Premier League facet Wolverhampton Wanderers in the course of the low season, however has but to reveal his greatest type since his transfer to the capital.
Nonetheless, his show within the North East final evening was undoubtedly one among his most interesting since that big-money switch, wanting just like the participant the hierarchy splashed all that money on.
The 27-year-old featured for all the 90 minutes, taking part in in a backline that secured simply their second clear sheet of the league marketing campaign so far.
Kilman accomplished 89% of the passes he tried, while making eight clearances – taking part in a pivotal function in preserving the in-form Alexander Isak quiet and proscribing him to restricted alternatives.
Midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been a person below hearth in current weeks, however he answered his critics final evening with a warrior-like efficiency on the coronary heart of Lopetegui’s midfield.
The Brazilian gained six tackles and ten duels – probably the most of any participant on the pitch, showcasing that he’s greater than able to doing the soiled work relatively than being a luxurious participant.
He additionally made seven passes into the ultimate third, seeking to create alternatives for his teammates, taking part in an enormous function within the transition for the Hammers.
Nonetheless, regardless of the aforementioned duo’s respective shows, it was one other participant’s efficiency on Tyneside who impressed probably the most, undoubtedly giving Lopetegui a range headache within the coming weeks.
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West Ham participant seems to be undroppable after Newcastle
Midfielder Carlos Soler joined the Hammers on mortgage from French facet PSG after James Ward-Prowse departed to signal for fellow top-flight facet Nottingham Forest on a deal till the top of the season.
The Spaniard has steadily discovered minutes onerous to come back by since his arrival, with final evening his first league begin since his summer time arrival.
Edson Alvarez hasn’t featured since his dismissal in opposition to Forest almost a month in the past, with Guido Rodriguez a person out of shape in current weeks, in the end resulting in Soler’s uncommon begin.
Nonetheless, it was a possibility the 27-year-old took with each arms, finishing 45 passes and registering 4 efforts on aim as he tried to make the specified impact in attacking areas.
Soler made six recoveries, successful two duels and in addition finishing 50% of the dribbles he tried, resulting in Sky Sports activities’ Dougie Critchley stating it was his “greatest sport” for the membership.
|
Soler in opposition to Newcastle United |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Tally |
|
Minutes performed |
84 |
|
Touches |
63 |
|
Passes accomplished |
45/50 (90%) |
|
Photographs taken |
4 |
|
Duels gained |
2 |
|
Recoveries |
6 |
|
Dribbles accomplished |
1/2 (50%) |
|
Stats through Sofascore |
|
In consequence, the box-to-box midfielder was handed a 7/10 match ranking by The Normal’s Dom Smith, with solely goalscoring Wan-Bissaka receiving a better match ranking.
It’s virtually inconceivable for Lopetegui to drop his £80k-per-week compatriot after his spectacular efficiency alongside Paqueta on the coronary heart of the Hammers midfield.
The pair demonstrated a superb understanding, however will each must be on high type as they host title hopefuls Arsenal on the London Stadium on Saturday night.
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