Newcastle Utd 3 West Ham 1
Newcastle United got back to winning ways thanks to a Mark Viduka and Charles N'Zogbia double act.
The Magpies striker netted a brace of goals thanks to two assists from the impressive N'Zogbia, who helped himself to a goal himself just before the end to put behind the disappointment of last week's 1-0 defeat at Derby.
The 3-1 scoreline suggests it was a comfortable victory at St James' Park for the home side - it was anything but. West Ham enjoyed large amounts of possession and were perhaps unlucky to be on the end of such a comprehensive defeat.
Although Alan Curbishley's side did not create as many clear-cut chances as Sam Allardyce's men they had several half-chances which could have been easily converted but for the excellent Steve Harper in goal, once again keeping first choice Shay Given on the sidelines.
United were once again lumbered to an unconvincing win until the last 20 minutes when the home side finally looked in control.
Allardyce withdrew goal hero Viduka, replaced him with Jose Enrique, who dropped to left back, which allowed N'Zogbia to move to left midfield. Alan Smith took Viduka's place alongside Obafemi Martins and James Milner switched from left wing to right.
In doing so it gave the Magpies more balance and shape and how they relished the change. Newcastle had more urgency and vibrancy about the play and on the last 20 minutes alone they probably shaded the proceedings and deserved their win.
Enrique, making his Premier League debut, looked strong and comfortable on the ball as did Habib Beye - in for dropped Steven Taylor - who showed revealed good athleticism and awareness on the ball.
The only downside concerns Michael Owen who limped off in the second half with what looks like a reoccurrence of his groin injury.
2:51pm Monday 24th September 2007
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