Newcastle United fought against a brave West Ham side to move up to sixth in the Premier League.
By no means was it the most entertaining game in the Premier League’s history, but Newcastle United fans will be delighted with the three points ahead of an incredibly important game.
Newcastle’s 1-0 win against West Ham means that the Magpies have the momentum going into the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday and a near-fully fit squad with seemingly no players coming off with any injury problems, despite minor scares throughout the game.
In the first-half, Sandro Tonali went down with a knee problem, replays showed that it was more of an impact injury for the Italian which he seemed to quickly brush off.
Goalkeeper Nick Pope also hit the deck at one point, to which Toon boss Eddie Howe immediately told Martin Dubravka to begin warming up. Pope was able to continue until the end of the game, keeping his fifth clean sheet of the season. It was a more positive performance from the 32-year-old with England boss Thomas Tuchel in attendance. Pope has been backed to play for England in March, despite his recent poor form.
With eyes on the final, some fans may have forgotten that this was an important game in terms of the race for the Champions League. Newcastle moved up to sixth, level on goal difference with Manchester City in fifth. If the season ended now Newcastle would be playing Europa League football for the 2025/26 campaign, but it is believed that fifth would be enough.
At full-time, one journalist spotted a moment from Howe on the touchline which was telling ahead of the final.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Eddie Howe’s touchline reaction after Newcastle win
Newcastle fans were devastated after the last week which delivered blow after blow. Anthony Gordon is suspended for the Carabao Cup final while it was revealed that Lewis Hall is out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
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The club also announced that Sven Botman is out for the next eight weeks, meaning he will also miss the final but could return before the end of the season.
Howe worked overtime at Newcastle’s training ground last week. Discussing different options for his squad with his staff. The 47-year-old decided to start Harvey Barnes against West Ham – a decision that proved successful.
Barnes bagged the assist for Bruno Guimaraes’ goal after coming close himself in the first half. His performance means there is a chance he starts against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
At full-time, journalist Andy Sixsmith spotted Howe roaring and throwing a fist pump on the touchline, knowing his side would be taking the three points back to Tyneside. Sixsmith pointed out that it was something that a celebration of that style was the first time Howe has done that ‘in a while’.
Eddie Howe provides Newcastle injury update
There were concerns over the likes of Joelinton, Pope and Isak, with the latter coming off without making much of an impact on the game. He came close to finding the back of the net before the Magpies scored but his couldn’t get a good enough connection on the ball to put it in.
Howe has now confirmed that Newcastle have a clean bill of health after the game and that there are no concerns over any players.
The Toon boss also confirmed that Isak was only taken off for Callum Wilson with fatigue and is fine. Isak also came off during Newcastle’s defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup earlier in March for the same reason.
Despite that, Newcastle’s star striker got through the game without issue and will be available for the final. Some Newcastle fans will be more pleased with the injury report, rather than the result itself.
All eyes will now be on Sunday, with Newcastle’s trophy drought on the cusp of ending.