Newcastle Defeat West Ham 1-0 to Boost Champions League Hopes

Posted : 11 March 2025

Newcastle revived their push for Champions League qualification with a contentious 1-0 victory over West Ham, courtesy of Bruno Guimarães' second-half goal. The Brazilian midfielder found the net in a sequence that saw West Ham's appeals for a foul dismissed, adding to the frustration of the home side.

Eddie Howe’s team climbed to sixth place in the Premier League, drawing level on points with fifth-placed Manchester City and sitting just two points behind Chelsea in fourth. With a top-four finish guaranteeing a return to Europe's elite competition and fifth place possibly enough, Newcastle’s win came at a crucial juncture.

The victory provided a much-needed boost after three losses in four games, setting the stage for their League Cup final against Liverpool. Newcastle will be looking to end their long wait for silverware, having last won a major trophy in 1969 and a domestic cup in 1955.

Howe praised his team’s determination, calling it "one of our best wins of the season" in terms of spirit and resilience. Meanwhile, West Ham manager Graham Potter expressed frustration over the goal, claiming Alexander Isak had pushed Max Kilman in the build-up, though VAR did not intervene.

West Ham received an emotional lift before kickoff as Michail Antonio made his first visit to the London Stadium since suffering a serious leg injury in a car accident. However, their bright start quickly faded after Tomas Soucek squandered an early chance from close range.

Newcastle, despite missing key players such as Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall, and Sven Botman, gradually asserted control. Harvey Barnes, hoping to fill Gordon’s role in the League Cup final, forced two sharp saves from Alphonse Areola, who also prevented Max Kilman from scoring an own goal after an awkward clearance attempt.

Newcastle finally broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute when Barnes’ persistence paid off, delivering a cross that Guimarães turned into the net. West Ham protested Isak’s challenge on Kilman, but the referee allowed play to continue.

The hosts’ frustration deepened when Jarrod Bowen’s penalty appeal, following a challenge by Guimarães, was waved away. Despite their late pressure, West Ham failed to break through, and Newcastle held firm to secure a significant win ahead of their Wembley showdown.

Newcastle Defeat West Ham 1-0 to Boost Champions League Hopes

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics