Newcastle moved level on points with fifth placed Manchester City in the Premier League as they increased their Champions League hope by beating West Ham 1-0 away from home.
Newcastle now enters Sunday’s Carabao Cup -Finals versus Liverpool, Live on Sky SportsWith a much -needed confidence boost after recently losing defense duo Sven Botman and Lewis Hall injured, as well as Anthony Gordon for suspension for the trip to Wembley.
Bruno Guimaraes ‘efforts in the 2nd half turned out to be the decisive factor after he was stuck to Harvey Barnes’ cross to stab Newcastle in the lead (64), but it was a goal West Ham claimed should have been excluded after Alexander Isak seemed to push Max Kilman from a potential offside position when the cross came in when the defender tried to the head to Ballen.
“They scored and the goal is frustrating from our perspective,” Potter said after the game. “We think it’s clear. Two hands on the back of the defender. It’s a push. He [Isak] Did not celebrate and thought it was a push. “
Barnes had even gone close to giving Magpies’ advantage before the break, but was twice denied by Hammer goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, one of the prominent players for them.
While Areola impressed at one end, his teammates flattered to deceive to the other, as West Ham Boss Graham Potter was left to tear his team’s missing chances from earlier in the game, Tomas Soucek happened with his efforts over the bar from close range and Mohammed Kudus, which spreads his opportunity when he was through.
The hosts had won back-to-back matches against Arsenal and Leicester on their way into this fixture, but came short on this occasion.
Guimaraes: We will fight for Champions League
Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes talking to Sky Sports:
“It is a massive victory for us, we will fight for the Champions League again. It was a great victory for us with great character to keep the pure sheet. It’s a good win to get the confidence back before the final.
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Match winner Bruno Guimaraes was in a fine voice in front of traveling Newcastle fans sang at London Stadium after their 1-0 win against West Ham.
“Of course, when you don’t win games, the position goes down a bit, but when we play like that, we show the team’s character. To be very honest, on our very best, we can beat any team in the world.
“We just have to be consistent. We played well. We kept a clean sheet – the most important thing is the three points.”
Howe: Pleasant end on a challenging week
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe:
“Massive victory, not our best game but one of our best games. Will always be tight and difficult to play against. We were all defensively that we haven’t been in recent weeks.
“Challenging week, but really happy. It was a hard -fought victory for us. Based on good defensive work from the team.
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Eddie Howe praised Newcastles 1-0 win against West Ham and said his players showed a lot of heart in front of Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
“I thought Harvey [Barnes] Had his moments and his assist to the goal was a top quality cross. He is capable of the crucial moments. So really happy for him and Bruno to get the goal. “
Potter: Newcastle -Measure was a clear push
West him boss Graham Potter:
“I feel for the players. They put so much into the game. Really committed performance. We started the game well. We had to defend well at times. We had our moments and they had theirs.
Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and West Ham United’s Oliver Scarles Battle for the ball
“They scored, and the goal is frustrating from our perspective. We think it’s clear. Two hands on the back of the defender it’s a push. He [Isak] Did not celebrate and thought it was a push.
“We didn’t do enough to win the game. We can improve our attacking game. Generally the boys gave the boys it all.”
Perfect pickup to Newcastle
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:
It was by no means a vintage performance from Newcastle, but they go away with three crucial points during the Champions League football.
Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes celebrate the scoring against West Ham
Up to sixth and level on points with reigning Champions Man City. Howes Side at times at times, with Nick Pope’s clean sheet kept intact by West Ham’s finishing rather than the goalkeeper’s performance, but they don’t care.
The Magpies chief described the construction of this fixture as “challenging” after losing Hall, Gordon and Botman, but this victory is the perfect pick-me-up ahead of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday-a Game Guimaraes compared to the “World Cup Final” while talking to Sky Sports After the victory.
As for West Ham, it is clear that they need a presence in front. They were the better side too much of this fixture, but lacked a figure through the middle to make these chances count.
They appear to be safe from Drop, where 16 points separate them and Ipswich in 18. Potter has done well to stabilize the ship and guide them to safety. Next season is when the real pressure on pushing on will mount.