A pathetic Newcastle United performance saw them lose 3-1 at West Ham on Sunday.
Despite taking an early lead against a team in crisis, Newcastle United’s wait for an away victory in the Premier League goes on.
Eddie Howe’s side were painful to watch. They lacked energy, inspiration and coherence and probably should have lost by more.
Here are five things Geordie Boot Boys learned from Newcastle’s 3-1 loss to West Ham in the Premier League.
Bruno Guimaraes looks dejected after Newcastle United lose to West Ham.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Away form is a serious issue under Eddie Howe and questions must be asked
The most frustrating part of the result is that it wasn’t all that surprising. Newcastle can turn it on for the big games but sometimes lack any kind of urgency in fixtures that perhaps don’t get the juices flowing quite as much – particularly away from home.
It has been seven months since they tasted a Premier League victory on the road and questions must be asked.
The team have had to navigate an intense run of fixtures of late but that does not excuse such a shambolic performance against a team who were in full-blown crisis.
Howe has to find a way to improve Newcastle’s away form. This should be a nadir but little about Newcastle’s away performances raise any kind of hope for next week’s trip to Brentford.
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Anthony Gordon sums up this Newcastle United team right now
Anthony Gordon’s strange season so far perhaps best sums up this Newcastle team. Brilliant on the big occasion but almost anonymous when the spotlight doesn’t shine so brightly.
Anthony Gordon playing for Newcastle United against West Ham.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Gordon’s domestic form is a major concern but he’s not alone in that. His struggles to replicate his performances in the Champions League compared to the Premier League are a reflection on Howe’s team as a whole.
It’s harsh to point to one fall-guy when the whole team is performing badly but Gordon’s malaise is a perfect illustration of Newcastle’s woe as a whole.
Malick Thiaw surpasses Sven Botman
Sven Botman has been in excellent form for Newcastle United this season but his last two outings have been poor.
He was disappointing against Fulham last weekend and that carried into the West Ham game.
Right now, Malick Thiaw has surely surpassed him as Newcastle’s best defender.
Emil Krafth cannot compete with Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento
Emil Krafth is rightly a popular figure amongst Newcastle supporters but the Sweden international just cannot match Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento for quality.
That’s hardly surprising but the West Ham game was a painful reminder of that. Krafth played well against Tottenham in midweek but was given a torrid time by Crysencio Summerville on Sunday.
Kieran Trippier misses out through illness today as we make six changes from midweek.
HOWAY THE LADS
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) November 2, 2025
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With Livramento injured until after this month’s international break, Newcastle will need to lean on Trippier once he is free of the bug that ruled him out on Sunday.
Lewis Hall returns just at the right time
Lewis Hall made a welcome return to the Newcastle United squad for Sunday’s game.
That’s a major boost for the club. Hall was excellent last year and while Dan Burn has generally performed well, he’s not looked fully comfortable at left-back this season.
While Hall will need time to get fully up to speed again, having a natural left-back in the squad can only be a positive thing.