- West Ham defeated 3-1 by Newcastle United at St James’ Park
- The Hammers remain in the relegation zone with one match to go
- Valentín Castellanos scores a second-half consolation goal
West Ham United’s abject performance in their bid for Premier League survival proved detrimental, as Newcastle United defeated them 3-1 at St James’ Park. The Hammers were second-best from the opening whistle, conceding twice in the opening twenty minutes.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side would concede another just after the hour mark, which typified their chaotic defending on the day.
Valentín Castellanos, who came off before the 30th-minute mark, scored an inventive consolation goal, which marked his impact, but he was unable to conjure up his teammates, who all cut defeated figures following the final whistle.
The result keeps West Ham in the relegation zone, two points behind Tottenham Hotspur, who play on Tuesday and could relegate the Hammers with a win. Even a draw from Spurs against Chelsea would all but inflict the damage, given their significant goal-difference advantage of -9 to West Ham’s -22.
Here are your player ratings.
Player ratings
Mads Hermansen – 4.0
The Dane was majorly at fault for Newcastle’s opener with his ambiguous pass out from the back, allowing Harvey Barnes to exploit the space left by Jean-Clair Todibo and set up Nick Woltemade’s header. Though in perilous straits for the second, his attempts to make himself imposing were woeful and punished. Sam can be said for the third.
Malick Diouf – 5.5
The full-back continues to cut an adventurous figure down the left. However, the rawness in his game has been clear to see in the run-in.
Jean-Clair Todibo – 4.0
A clear difference from last week’s position, as the Frenchman lined up on the left side of the back-five instead of the right, and it was evident for both opening goals. He was the sacrifice for Castellanos before the half-hour mark.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 4.5
The Greek, though a colossal box defender, looked clueless in defending open space, as seen by his marking attempt on William Osula for the hosts’ second.
Axel Disasi – 4.5
Like the rest of his defensive teammates, he was a victim of his coach’s constant persistence with change. For a player obviously reliant on his confidence, it was visually clear to see the defensive competence drain from him with each passing goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 5.5
There were tempting crosses from Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the opening stages, but his willingness to affect the game beyond the basics was strikingly poor.
Mateus Fernandes – 6.0
The Premier League Young Player of the Season candidate is a wonderful footballer and will only improve in his next club, but he was on the receiving end of a midfield masterclass by Bruno Guimarães.
Tomas Soucek – 5.0
The midfielder was momentarily involved in potential early VAR drama with a Newcastle cross-cum-shot clipping his elbow, but nothing came from it. Most of the Czech’s actions were out of control, including his unnecessary spat with Guimarães before going off.
Crysencio Summerville – 6.5
The shift in formation allowed Crysencio Summerville to operate from wider areas and pose more of a threat with deliveries for Castellanos and, minutes later, Callum Wilson. The mercurial Dutchman was the spark to many of West Ham’s forays into the Newcastle half.
Jarrod Bowen – 4.5
West Ham’s captain has worryingly picked the wrong time for his form to halt. The forward has gone from essential to invisible, going three straight games without a goal contribution.
Callum Wilson – 5.0
It can’t be said that the former Newcastle man didn’t have service on his return to his old stomping ground, but what he doesn’t have is the pace that has extended his Premier League career to this point, showcasing why his influence is usually in cameos.
Substitutes
Valentín Castellanos – 7.0
Immediately coming on and producing West Ham’s first credible chance of the game with a close volley attempt, which he should have done better from. The Argentine’s production has been questioned, but his willingness cannot with an ingenious consolation to notch West Ham onto the scoreboard.
Pablo – 5.5
The Brazilians’ bright with Castellanos was profitable in the chances that West Ham created in their improved second half. Pablo was brought in in January to offer hope, but unfortunately, he has only done so in instalments – like his overpriced deal from Gil Vicente.
Mohamadou Kanté – 5.0
A more active presence than Tomas Soucek, but hardly shown the talent that warrants more minutes than the nine that he has gotten since the turn of the year.
Nuno Espírito Santo – 4.0
While many will berate the gaffer’s preference to remain with the back-five that served him so productively against title-chasing Arsenal, it is his team selection that will likely prove decisive in what could seal West Ham’s top-flight fate.
The decision to opt for Callum Wilson as the sole focal point, likely tempted by the striker’s past with the opposition, backfired, leaving the Hammers with no vertical threat and inviting Newcastle to a fast start, which they profited from. Reacting to the first-half Castellanos substitutions shows humility but also uncertainty, which the Hammers simply couldn’t afford.
His formation change to a back three was immediately exploited by the home team for their third goal.
