Struggling West Ham produced a gritty performance to secure a rare away point and frustrate in-form Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Sean Longstaff followed up his two goals against Southampton on Tuesday, which booked the Magpies a place in the Carabao Cup final, by setting up Callum Wilson to fire the hosts ahead with a clinical finish.
Fabian Schar almost made it 2-0 following a free-kick before Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta equalised from inside the six-yard box – the first Premier League goal Newcastle have conceded since 6 November.
Eddie Howe’s side were far from their fluent best and the 69th-minute introduction of new signing Anthony Gordon as a substitute failed to inspire Newcastle as West Ham dug deep.
On a frustrating day for the Magpies, Joelinton was booked for a clear dive inside the West Ham box by referee Peter Bankes, while Allan Saint-Maximin had a goal-bound attempt blocked on his first Premier League start since 28 August.
Newcastle, who started the weekend in third spot in the Premier League, are now fourth on 40 points – four ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham who entertain Manchester City on Sunday (16:30 GMT).
West Ham remain 16th – one point above the relegation zone – after securing a sixth point on the road this season.
Magpies made to pay for missed chances
After securing a first cup final for 24 years, the atmosphere inside St James’ Park for West Ham’s visit was buoyant at kick-off.
Wembley songs filled the air after Wilson scored his first goal since 29 October following Longstaff’s carefully threaded pass inside three minutes.
By half-time, however, the celebratory mood had been replaced by an air of tension after Newcastle failed to deal with a corner, allowing Paqueta to pounce inside the six-yard box.
Despite scoring his seventh goal of the season, Wilson could have had a hat-trick.
He was denied by Nayef Aguerd’s fine challenge after a lovely pass by Gordon, who has arrived on Tyneside in a deal worth worth up to £45m from Everton.
Wilson had another chance to win it but his header, from Kieran Trippier’s free-kick, was straight at Lukasz Fabianski.
Newcastle have deservedly won praise after impressing this season. However, Howe and his players know there is still lots of work ahead if they are to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2002-03 season.
More to follow.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key = Give it up = Pure perfection
Newcastle United
Starting XI
-
Squad number22Player namePope
Average rating6.29
-
Squad number2Player nameTrippier
Average rating6.42
-
Squad number5Player nameSchär
Average rating5.95
-
Squad number4Player nameBotman
Average rating6.20
-
Squad number33Player nameBurn
Average rating5.71
-
Squad number28Player nameWillock
Average rating5.74
-
Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff
Average rating6.11
-
Squad number7Player nameJoelinton
Average rating6.11
-
Squad number24Player nameAlmirón
Average rating5.96
-
Squad number9Player nameWilson
Average rating6.27
-
Squad number10Player nameSaint-Maximin
Average rating5.16
Substitutes
-
Squad number8Player nameGordon
Average rating5.57
-
Squad number23Player nameMurphy
Average rating5.06
-
Squad number32Player nameAnderson
Average rating5.33
West Ham United
Starting XI
-
Squad number1Player nameFabianski
Average rating6.40
-
Squad number24Player nameKehrer
Average rating5.78
-
Squad number21Player nameOgbonna
Average rating6.57
-
Squad number27Player nameAguerd
Average rating7.76
-
Squad number5Player nameCoufal
Average rating6.92
-
Squad number11Player nameLucas Paquetá
Average rating7.62
-
Squad number41Player nameRice
Average rating7.67
-
Squad number33Player nameEmerson
Average rating6.83
-
Squad number20Player nameBowen
Average rating6.73
-
Squad number22Player nameBenrahma
Average rating6.34
-
Squad number9Player nameAntonio
Average rating6.41
Substitutes
-
Squad number2Player nameJohnson
Average rating6.59
-
Squad number8Player nameFornals
Average rating6.42
-
Squad number12Player nameDownes
Average rating6.17
-
Squad number18Player nameIngs
Average rating6.26
-
Squad number28Player nameSoucek
Average rating6.26
Line-ups
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Pope
- 2Trippier
- 5Schär
- 4Botman
- 33Burn
- 28WillockBooked at 45minsSubstituted forAndersonat 81′minutes
- 36S Longstaff
- 7JoelintonBooked at 57mins
- 24AlmirónSubstituted forMurphyat 81′minutes
- 9Wilson
- 10Saint-MaximinSubstituted forGordonat 69′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Dúbravka
- 3Dummett
- 6Lascelles
- 8Gordon
- 11Ritchie
- 12Lewis
- 21Fraser
- 23Murphy
- 32Anderson
West Ham
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Fabianski
- 24KehrerSubstituted forJohnsonat 45′minutes
- 21Ogbonna
- 27AguerdBooked at 90mins
- 5CoufalSubstituted forDownesat 90+2′minutes
- 11Lucas PaquetáSubstituted forSoucekat 74′minutes
- 41Rice
- 33Emerson
- 20Bowen
- 22BenrahmaSubstituted forFornalsat 74′minutes
- 9AntonioSubstituted forIngsat 81′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Johnson
- 3Cresswell
- 8Fornals
- 10Lanzini
- 12Downes
- 18Ings
- 28Soucek
- 47Hegyi
- 49Anang
- Referee:
- Peter Bankes
- Attendance:
- 52,256
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Newcastle United 1, West Ham United 1.