Newcastle Thrashes West Ham To Stay Third
Newcastle United bolstered their place in the Premier League’s top four and took a huge step towards Champions League qualification as Callum Wilson and Joelinton both scored twice in a 5-1 rout of woeful West Ham United.
A damp night in east London was turned into a Tyneside party as Eddie Howe’s rampant side punished an error-riddled West Ham who were the architects of their own downfall.
Wilson and Joelinton both scored inside the opening 13 minutes as third-placed Newcastle sent out a statement in their quest to rejoin the European elite after a 20-year absence.
For West Ham, meanwhile, the joy of a weekend win over bottom club Southampton evaporated as their relegation jitters returned with a horrible display.
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They might have feared the worst when Wilson’s name was on the teamsheet. He has now scored 12 goals in 13 appearances against West Ham and after a lean spell this season which cost him his England place he suddenly looks back to his best.
“Sometimes you have teams you enjoy playing against. You have a feeling you’re going to score,” he said.
“Before the game everyone is talking ‘West Ham, you’re going to score today’. I’ve been on the bench in the last few weeks. I wanted to make a statement and show everyone I’m still here.”
Newcastle are third with 53 points from 28 games, the same as fourth-placed Manchester United but crucially three ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur who have played one game more.
West Ham are 15th with 27 points and are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
The hosts almost got the perfect start inside a minute when Jarrod Bowen’s low cross was turned against the post by a stretching Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
But Newcastle were soon on their way as West Ham’s defence offered up its first gift of the evening.
Reuters/Samuel Isaiah
