Newcastle United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium, boosting their Champions League hopes and providing much-needed confidence ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday.
Bruno’s second-half goal was all the Magpies needed, and it helped lift Eddie Howe’s side to sixth place in the Premier League, level on points with Manchester City.
West Ham started strongly, nearly taking the lead in the opening minutes when Tomas Soucek missed from close range before Mohammed Kudus wasted a one-on-one opportunity as Newcastle’s defense looked shaky early on.
However, the lads gradually settled, and Harvey Barnes—making his first league start since December—forced two strong saves from Alphonse Areola before halftime.
Newcastle’s breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Barnes delivered a well-placed cross into the box, where Guimarães reacted quickest to turn the ball into the net. West Ham protested to no avail, arguing that Alexander Isak had impeded Max Kilman from an offside position, but the goal stood.
The Magpies held firm in the closing stages, securing their first Premier League clean sheet since mid-January.
Defensively, the improvement was significant after conceding 11 goals in their previous four matches. With Anthony Gordon suspended and Lewis Hall injured, Howe’s reshaped left flank featured Tino Livramento and Barnes, who are now likely to start in the Carabao Cup final.
After an important 1-0 win for Newcastle over West Ham, Tim Howard and Danny Higginbotham break down how Eddie Howe's side got it done. pic.twitter.com/AfjUcHA1tO
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 10, 2025
After the match, Howe praised his team’s determination in their first win in London this win before they do so once again next Sunday in the nation’s capital against the Reds.
“It was one of our best wins of the season, not in terms of performance but desire and heart,” Howe said. “I felt we were in need of a win to go into the final with a real boost and lift. It will do us the world of good.”
Newcastle now turn their attention to Wembley, where they will face Liverpool on March 16 with the chance to end their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy. Howay!