Magpies get back on the winning trail at last

It was United's first win since January 20, and only their third of a troubled start to 2001, but it was a battling performance that was just what manager Bobby Robson would have wanted.

Robson threatened to ring the changes after the defeat at Ipswich on Saturday and true to his word he brought in three fresh faces for the encounter.

The most surprising addition was Nikos Dabizas - in for Aaron Hughes - after just 90 minutes of reserve team football in almost eight months.

The Greek defender ruptured knee ligaments during the Magpies' 3-2 win over Derby County back in August, but he showed no signs of rustiness as he put in an assured performance.

With Christian Bassedas in for Clarence Acuna and Kevin Gallacher replacing the rested Shola Ameobi, the Magpies were determined to end a run that saw them pick up just two points from their last seven games - what Robson believed was his worst in management.

But before they could get into their stride United's injury jinx struck after nine minutes when Warren Barton was forced to limp out with an Achilles injury to be replaced by Steve Caldwell.

Teenage sensation Joe Cole, playing just behind lone front runner Frederic Kanoute, was West Ham's main danger but it was Newcastle who started brightest and the return of Dabizas appeared to boost Newcstle's confidence.

After West Ham lost Kanoute on 21 minutes, Newcastle moved up a gear taking the game to their visitors.

In the 24th minute Newcastle produced ther best move of the half instigated by Dabizas's willingness to get forward.

The centre-half won the ball on the halfway line and fed Carl Cort who passed it out to Nolberto Solano.

The Peruvian flicked the ball into the path of Robert Lee whose first -time cross from the right was met by Gallacher but his header was just wide of the left hand post.

Newcastle were increasing the pressure on the Hammers' defence with Gallacher the focal point and they received their reward just after the half hour.

Robert Lee, finding plenty of space in the middle of the park, broke forward and sprayed the ball out wide to Quinn on the left. His cross landed t the feet of Solano who skipped to the byline and pulled a super cross back for Cort to volley gleefully home from six yards.

Newcastle were well on top now and forced West Ham into a chasing game.

The east Londoners found themselves limited to speculative long- range efforts with Sebastien Schemmel and Tyneside-born Michael Carrick both failing to trouble Shay Given from 25 yards.

But the Magpies were in the ascendancy and almost made it two just before half-time.

Carrick lost possession on the half-way line allowing Solano to skip clear unchallenged. With Hislop advancing off his line Solano tried an impudent chip which the Trinidadian was forced to back- pedal and tip over at full stretch.

West Ham reverted to a back three after half-time with Christian Dailly replacing Schemmel, but it had no effect on Newcastle as they continued to mount attack after attack.

Gallacher was again at the centre of all Newcastle's good attacking play, and when he was fed by Caldwell in the box on 48 minutes he appeared to be clattered from behind by Igor Stimac.

Again Mr Durkin rejected the Scot's appeals, but Newcastle did not have to wait much longer for a penalty.

On 55 minutes Speed fed Solano down the right and his low cross was cleared by the hand of Nigel Winterburn.

This time Mr Durkin pointed straight to the spot and Solano stepped up to make amends for his penalty miss against Middlesbrough with an impudent flick into the back of the net.

It seemed that Newcastle could pay for their misses, and the opportunity to keep their first clean sheet for 28 games duly evaporated on 79 minutes.

Substitute Clarence Acuna lost out on the edge of his own box to Carrick. The ball was played through to Song when he was clattered by a combination of Andy O'Brien and Caldwell.

The clear penalty was duly dispatched by Frank Lampard.

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