West Ham United earned a much-needed victory on Sunday afternoon, defeating Newcastle United 3-1 at the London Stadium. The win marked the first for manager Nuno Espirito Santo since taking charge of the club and ended a nine-game winless run in the Premier League.
The match began with early drama as Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a powerful low strike. West Ham responded with determination, and their persistence paid off when Lucas Paquetá equalized in the 35th minute with a long-range effort that electrified the home crowd.
Just before halftime, West Ham took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle defender Sven Botman, who deflected a dangerous cross into his own net during stoppage time. The Hammers sealed the win in the dying moments of the match when Tomáš Souček found the back of the net in the 97th minute, capping off a dominant second-half performance.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo expressed his delight after the final whistle, praising his players for their resilience and composure. “This win means a lot to the team and to our supporters. We showed character and fought for every ball,” he said during the post-match press conference.
The victory lifted West Ham to seven points in the league standings, offering a glimmer of hope in what has been a challenging season. The team had previously looked like relegation candidates, but Sunday’s performance suggested a potential turning point.
Lucas Paquetá was named man of the match for his influential role in midfield and his crucial equalizer. His performance was instrumental in shifting momentum in West Ham’s favor and energizing the squad.
Newcastle, meanwhile, struggled to maintain their early lead and failed to capitalize on several opportunities. The loss extended their poor run of form away from home, raising questions about their consistency and defensive organization.