WEST HAM UNITED eased to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United as academy graduates Declan Rice and Mark Noble scored first-half goals at London Stadium.
The Hammers closed back to within four points of seventh-placed Wolves with a comfortable Premier League victory that was set in motion by Rice, who nodded in early on.
Newcastle’s defending had been generous for that strike and they were accommodating again as captain Noble tucked away a penalty later in the first period.
There was little by way of a response after the restart and, while West Ham can look up the table in the final months of the season, Newcastle are still not assured of top-flight survival.
An energetic start from West Ham was rewarded with the opener inside seven minutes as Rice evaded Fabian Schar from Robert Snodgrass’ right-wing corner and headed down past Martin Dubravka.
And in a first half otherwise light on goalmouth action, more poor Newcastle defending shortly before the break saw Florian Lejeune dive in on Javier Hernandez in the area, allowing Noble to smash home from 12 yards.
Ayoze Perez screwed wide after he was sent through early in the second period, before Lukasz Fabianski held on as Salomon Rondon thundered in a low strike.
But there would be no comeback for the visitors, despite Rondon going close with a late free-kick, as West Ham completed a league double over the Magpies.
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ENGLISH premier league- just in location
Lower quality but more interesting football back then
Brexit might bring back that reality sooner than people think
Is it any wonder it’s never happened again… Villa lost 4-1 to Coventry!
Ironic it was a foreginer who scored the winning goals tho…
Bernard Brogans long lost relative.
And not many English managers either !
I wonder what Premier team had the most Irish players in it?I remember Charlton Athletic had Matt Holland,Mark Kinsella&Dean Kiely at the same time.That would be hard to beat,I reckon.
@Frank MacNamara: Villa with Stan (the gaffer), McGrath, Townsend and Houghton maybe