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.