Tomas Soucek (right) celebrates with Lucas Paquetá after opening the scoring at Newcastle. Both were excellent at St James’ Park.Photograph: Richard Sellers/PA
This could have been the week that finished Julen Lopetegui at West Ham. Given two weeks to save his job, the manager met the challenge head on in the first and lifted the pressure by masterminding a disciplined, clever 2-0 victory at Newcastle on Monday.
Here, after a series of underwhelming performances, was belated evidence of why West Ham replaced David Moyes with Lopetegui in the summer. Internally there was satisfaction that the international break had not been used to make a change. West Ham, who go into Saturday evening’s home game with Arsenal in a curious spot, six points above the bottom three and seven off the top four, can see how hard Lopetegui has been working to reverse the slump. Although their faith has been tested, they were determined not to act hastily and it is hoped the win over Newcastle will not prove to be the exception rather than the norm.
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Yet it should not be overlooked that West Ham’s response to the grim 0-0 home draw with Everton this month was to begin considering potential replacements. Alarm bells were ringing, intermediaries were on alert and there were suggestions that a heavy defeat to Newcastle would have forced David Sullivan, the largest shareholder, into an uncharacteristically early dismissal.
It means, then, that questions remain over whether this was more than a one-off. Comparisons can be drawn to Manuel Pellegrini’s reprieve when West Ham won 1-0 at Chelsea in November 2019. That result came out of nowhere, like the one at Newcastle, but it did not do much for Pellegrini given that he went a month later.
In that context Lopetegui needs to keep his guard up. Although suggestions that the former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic was being lined up to take over are wide of the mark, the situation remains precarious. Another bad run would inevitably bring more noise. Some at the club were unsure about Lopetegui’s appointment and suggested alternatives. However Sullivan, still the main power, has championed the 57-year-old and is determined to give him time to silence the doubters.
That support is vital for Lopetegui, who benefited from altering his tactics against Newcastle. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the former Manchester United right-back, played a more conventional role, having spent most of his previous outings operating unconvincingly as an inverted full-back. Lucas Paquetá, who had a point to prove after being dropped by Brazil, had his best game since March. Michail Antonio worked hard up front and bullied Lloyd Kelly. Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville were lively on the flanks. Tomas Soucek got one of his characteristic big goals.
There were flashes of the old Moyesian grit, physicality and counterattacking threat, along with greater calm on the ball. West Ham had faltered at St James’ Park last season, throwing away a two-goal lead and losing 4-3 after a defensive substitution from Moyes. This time, they calmly saw it out after Bowen sent Wan-Bissaka through to make it 2-0 early in the second half.
This, at long last, was a team with an identity. There have been times when it is hard to work out what Lopetegui wants. West Ham have lacked conviction when playing out from the back. They have been open on transitions – Wan-Bissaka’s positioning had not helped – and vulnerable to pace in central areas. A plodding midfield did not look fit for purpose during humiliating defeats by Chelsea and Tottenham.
Just when it seemed new depths were about to be explored, out came the defiance against Newcastle. Seeking greater poise in the middle, Lopetegui struck gold with a midfield of Paquetá, Soucek and Carlos Soler. West Ham had something rare: control.
It helped that Paquetá, who makes things tick, lifting those around him, was back in the zone after months of insipidness. He dropped back, aiding distribution, and was on the same wavelength as Soler, who had his most impressive game since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Wan-Bissaka’s more conventional role meant that he was no longer in Bowen’s way in the final third.
Trust the process, then? There was an improvement in training before the trip to the north-east. However, it is worth noting that poor defending gave Newcastle two chances to equalise before half-time. Bowen talked about challenging for Europe after the game, but Lopetegui was more circumspect. He spoke about small steps. Perhaps he has not forgotten that last month’s flukey win over Manchester United was followed by Edson Álvarez picking up his second red card of the season when West Ham lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest a week later.
Discipline has been an issue. Mohammed Kudus lost his head against Spurs and will serve the last of his five-match ban on Saturday. Lopetegui, a fiery presence during games, will serve a touchline ban against Arsenal.
West Ham may find they miss him. It has been a slow start but Lopetegui will hope he has found the spark. He has an inviting run before Christmas and must build momentum. Otherwise the same old cycle of gloom will start up again.