NEWCASTLE UNITED remain unbeaten at St James’ Park this season, but they remain in fourth position in the Premier League table after they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United.

Callum Wilson’s third-minute opener represented the ideal start for the Magpies, but Lucas Paqueta stabbed home a West Ham equaliser shortly before half-time.

It was the first league goal Newcastle had conceded since early November, and while Eddie Howe’s side created second-half opportunities to reclaim the lead, the best of which was thwarted by a superb covering tackle from Nayef Aguerd, they were unable to beat Lukasz Fabianski for a second time.

As a result, they fall two points behind Manchester United, who beat Crystal Palace earlier in the afternoon.

There could have been a sense of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ in the wake of Tuesday’s emotional Carabao Cup semi-final success over Southampton, but any fears of a subdued start were blown away inside a remarkable opening three minutes in which Newcastle had the ball in the net on two separate occasions.

The first came within the opening 40 seconds, but did not result in a goal. Joe Willock turned neatly in the box before firing home after Miguel Almiron pulled the ball back into his path from the byline, but a VAR check showed that the ball had crossed the line for a goal kick before the full-back delivered it across the area.

No matter. From the very next attack, Newcastle broke the deadlock with an effort that was allowed to stand. After his two-goal heroics on Tuesday night, Sean Longstaff turned provider as he threaded a through ball between two West Ham defenders to send Wilson scampering through the middle.

Wilson had not scored since October, but Newcastle’s number nine did not exactly lack for confidence as he calmly strode forward before slotting a composed finish past Fabianksi.

Almiron threatened to add to the Magpies’ lead with a flicked effort that was straight at Fabianski, and the home side threatened again midway through the first half.

Dan Burn flicked on a free-kick into the area, but while Fabian Schar got to the ball ahead of Fabianski, he could only stab a hurried effort wide of the target.

Newcastle had dominated the opening 25 minutes, but having recovered from the shock of falling behind at such an early stage of proceedings, West Ham gradually clawed their way back into the game.

Said Benrahma should have done better with a shot that was fired over from the edge of the area, before Paqueta dragged a low effort of his own just wide of the left-hand post.

Paqueta featured prominently on Newcastle’s shopping list last summer, only to eventually move to the London Stadium from Lyon, and the Brazilian made the Magpies pay for missing out on him as he levelled the scores in the 32nd minute.

Aguerd flicked on Declan Rice’s corner, and Paqueta controlled the ball at the back post before stabbing home.

Aguerd was a threat from set-pieces all evening, and the defender came close at the start of the second half with a flicked header from a Benrahma cross that drifted just beyond the far post.

Allan Saint-Maximin threatened at the other end with a volleyed effort that was saved by Fabianski, but the Frenchman was replaced midway through the second half after a disappointing display in what was his first league start since August.

He was replaced by Anthony Gordon, with Newcastle’s new £45m man leaving the bench to make his Magpies debut, and the former Everton midfielder almost had an instant impact.

His 76th-minute through ball released Wilson beyond the West Ham defence for the second time in the game, but unlike in the third minute, the striker was unable to burst clear, enabling Aguerd to stop him from getting a shot away with a superb last-ditch covering tackle.