From the moment West Ham occupied the fourth spot which leads to the Champions League, everybody was just waiting for the moment when the Hammers will fall. It was just unthinkable that another team apart from the already expected clubs could end up in the fourth spot. And although West Ham played great at times and looked like a breath of fresh air compared to dreadful Manchester United displays and wins, David Moyes’ team is definitely started a free fall. The Hammers recorded only 2 wins in their last five Premier League matches, against relegation strugglers Norwich and Watford, and they had another chance today to get the three points against another relegation-threatened club and get back to that fourth spot, but they failed: West Ham – Newcastle 1-1.Joe #Willock during the first half for #Newcastle👟33 Touches🎯81% Pass Accuracy🤤3/5 Dribbles Completed⚔6/9 Ground Duels Won🥊2 Tackles⚽️1 Goal pic.twitter.com/a6C5EK9vh7— AJ Analysis (@A_J_Analysis) February 19, 2022 The Magpies made five transfers in the January transfer window, but Kieran Trippier, their best player at the moment was injured and missed the game, while Bruno Guimaraes is not a regular starter yet. Apart from that, their best offensive players like Callum Willson and Alan Saint-Maximin were missing due to injuries and yet the home team failed to capitalize on Newcastle’s weakness and gain the most needed three points.12% – Since the start of the 2019-20 season, Newcastle have won just 12 percent of the 25 Premier League games in which Allan Saint-Maximin hasn’t featured (3), drawing eight and losing the other 14. Absence. pic.twitter.com/2OuFeB8Q12— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 19, 2022 Newcastle was better in the first half. The Magpies were more aggressive and proactive, not enough to create some decent chances. They managed to get into the penalty area with ease, but the final shot was always blocked by some West Ham defender. The best chance actually came from the home team, as Bowen’s shot was saved by Dubravka and in the 32nd minute, West Ham’s brilliant set-piece brilliance was again on display. Cresswell’s delivery was on point and Dawson scored from an easy header, after poor defending from Newcastle. But the Magpies refused to be 1-0 down, and frankly, they didn’t deserve it. So, in the stoppage time, after Decklan Rice made a poor clearance and sent the ball back to his own penalty area, Joe Willock, the best player on the pitch, wisely put his leg between two defenders and scored.The second half was not so intense and lacked some proper chances. Willock had a chance for another goal in the 66th minute, but his shot from 22 meters went just inches near the bar. Other efforts were just off the mark or blocked. In the last 15 minutes, Newcastle tightened the back four even more, and already pale Antonio was nowhere to be seen. Even Bowen couldn’t do anything anymore and the Magpies went to the Nort East with one well-deserved point.PREMIER LEAGUE – Round 26SaturdayWest Ham – Newcastle 1-1 (1-1)/Dawson 32 – Willock 45+2/18.00: (1.70) Brighton (3.50) Burnley (5.60)18.00: (1.65) Aston Villa (3.70) Watford (5.70)18.00: (1.12) Liverpool (10.0) Norwich (17.0)18.00: (1.45) Arsenal (4.20) Brentford (8.00)18.00: (5.40) Crystal Palace (3.70) Chelsea (1.67)18.00: (2.20) Southampton (3.40) Everton (3.30)20.30: (1.32) Man.City (5.30) Tottenham (9.50)Sunday17.00: (4.30) Leeds (3.60) Man.Utd. (1.85)9.30: (2.30) Wolverhampton (3.20) Leicester (3.25)***odds are subject to change
