Goals:

1-0: Rice (7, close-range header from a corner after losing Schar)

2-0: Noble (42, from the penalty spot after Lejeune had brought down Hernandez)

Bookings: Noble (26, foul), Schar (37, foul), Longstaff (40, foul), Masuaku (67, foul), Hayden (67, foul), Dubravka (85, dissent), Diop (88, foul)

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Manchester) – gave the yellow card a regular airing but no recipient could have too many complaints. 6

Attendance: 59,000

Entertainment: **

WHU Newc

Shots on 4 2

Shots off 6 15

Corners 1 6

Fouls 8 14

NEWCASTLE (5-4-1)

6 Dubravka: Perhaps could have done better for the first goal, solid otherwise;

7 Manquillo: Shed blood for the cause in clash of heads with Aaron Creswwell. Got forward well

7 Lascelles: Solid at the back, as usual

5 Lejeune: Poorly-timed tackle cost a penalty and with it the game

5 Schar: Badly at fault for the opening goal by dozing off at corner

6 Ritchie: The wing-back put in a few quality crosses;

6 Perez: Put the ball in the net but was offside. Found going tough overall

6 Hayden: Always available in the middle. Good pass distribution

5 Longstaff: Booked for a reckless tackle and now probably out for a while

6 Almiron: Had just the one decent chance but couldn't take it;

6 Rondon: Nearly scored with a late free-kick

Subs

Diame (for Longstaff 46): Added some muscle to the middle. 5

Dummett (for Schar 65): Sent on in switch to a back four. 5

Atsu (for Hayden 80): No time to make significant impact. 3

(not used): Darlow (gk), Ki, Muto, Yedlin.

WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 6; Fredericks 6, Diop 6, Ogbonna 7, Cresswell 6 (Masuaku 34, 6); Noble 7 (Obiang 80), RICE 8; Snodgrass 7, Lanzini 7, Anderson 6; Hernandez 6 (Arnautovic 70, 5). Subs (not used): Adrian (g-k), Nasri, Perez, Antonio.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Declan Rice - Came away with the most impressive statistics for passing and tackling as well as the opening goal.