Newcastle United secured a vital 1-0 victory over West Ham United in a tense Premier League clash, thanks to a late strike from Bruno Guimarães. The win keeps Newcastle’s Champions League aspirations alive, as they now sit level on points with Manchester City, who currently occupy fifth place.
Guimarães Seals the Win in a Tight Encounter
The Magpies captain proved to be the difference-maker, scoring the match’s only goal at the London Stadium ahead of Newcastle’s EFL Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday.
Guimarães capitalized on Harvey Barnes’ pinpoint cross in the 63rd minute, volleying past West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who had made a stunning save to prevent a Max Kilman own-goal.
Eddie Howe’s men took control following the goal, securing only their second Premier League win in five matches. This crucial victory propels Newcastle to sixth place, just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while Graham Potter’s West Ham remains in 16th position.
How the Match Unfolded
West Ham started aggressively, almost taking the lead within the first minute. A dangerous cross found Tomas Soucek, but he fired over from close range.
Newcastle responded quickly. Barnes redirected Kieran Trippier’s drilled effort on target, only for Areola to pull off a crucial save. The West Ham shot-stopper was called into action again moments later, denying Barnes with a well-timed header save.
Areola’s heroics continued in the 61st minute when he managed to claw the ball off the line after Kilman accidentally diverted Jacob Murphy’s cross toward his own goal. However, the Frenchman was left helpless two minutes later when Guimarães ghosted into the box and smashed home Barnes’ delivery from close range.
West Ham’s Missed Opportunity
The Hammers entered the match brimming with confidence after back-to-back wins and were aiming for three consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since December 2023. Potter stuck with an unchanged lineup for the third straight match, hoping for consistency.
West Ham nearly got off to a dream start, but Soucek squandered a golden opportunity with only Nick Pope to beat. As the match progressed, Newcastle grew into the game, forcing Areola into multiple saves to keep the score level.
However, West Ham’s defensive lapses were ultimately punished. Guimarães’ winner left the hosts scrambling for a response, but they failed to mount a significant threat. Newcastle’s backline held firm, securing their first clean sheet in six matches across all competitions.
What’s Next?
West Ham will look to bounce back this weekend as they travel to Goodison Park to take on a revitalized Everton side under their former manager, David Moyes. Meanwhile, Newcastle shifts focus to their upcoming EFL Cup final showdown against Liverpool, hoping to carry this momentum into the high-stakes clash.
This result further cements Newcastle’s status as a strong contender for European qualification, making their next fixtures even more critical.
