Goals:
1-0: Joselu (36, slid into finish from close range after Atsu had squared to him in the area)
2-0: Clark (73, headed Ritchie’s delivery from the right in off the far post)
3-0: Mitrovic (86, rounded Hart and found the empty net after being sent clear)
Bookings: Noble (17, foul); Fernandes (66, foul)
Sending-off: None
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Preston) – a very straight forward afternoon, sure he would like a few more of those. 7
Attendance: 52,093
Entertainment: ***
Newc WHU
Shots on 8 3
Shots off 8 5
Corners 7 5
Offsides 2 3
Fouls 17 11
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-2-3-1):
6 Elliot: Did what he had to do when called upon solidly and effectively, except for making a meal out of Cresswell shot;
7 Manquillo: Has his critics but joined in with the attacks and defended reasonably well too
7 Lascelles: Would have expected a busier afternoon but still confident when he needed to be
8 Clark: Strong in the air and in the challenge throughout and got a goal to celebrate too
7 Mbemba: Looked at home at left-back after forgetting about one early mistake;
8 Hayden: Ran the midfield show and his pairing with Merino shows showed plenty potential
8 MERINO: A real calming influence in the middle and looked for the quick pass;
7 Ritchie: Set the tone with his tenacity early on and his persistence teed up Clark’s header
7 Perez: Got better as the game wore on with some lovely touches and strength too
7 Atsu: Laid on the first for Joselu during a very bright opening half;
7 Joselu: A real nuisance to the visiting defence and got a deserved goal to go with his performance
Subs:
MItrovic (for Joselu 71)
Diame (for Hayden 82)
Murphy (for Ritchie 88)
(not used): Saivet, Gamez, Woodman (gk), Aarons.
WEST HAM UNITED (4-3-2-1): Hart 4; Zabaleta 4, Collins 4, Ogbonna 5, CRESSWELL 5; Noble 5 (Kouyate 71), Fernandes 4, Rice 4 (Lanzini 46, 5); Antonio 5, Ayew 4 (Sakho 70, 5); Hernandez 4. Subs (not used): Fonte, Adrian (gk), Obiang, Masuaku.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Mikel Merino – together with midfield side-kick Hayden he ran things in the middle by dictating play for the Magpies.
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