Newcastle United warmed up for the EFL Cup final with a narrow 1-0 victory in their Premier League away clash against West Ham United.
Both sets of supporters gave a warm reception to Michail Antonio before the game, as the West Ham forward applauded the crowd on his first visit to the London Stadium since he suffered a leg fracture in a serious car accident in December.
When the action got underway, Tomas Soucek spurned a glorious opportunity to give West Ham an early lead, lifting the ball over the bar in a moment which suggested that the first half would be full of drama.
However, that proved not to be the case, as the two sides cancelled one another out in a cagey first period, although Alphonse Areola was required to make a couple of saves to deny Harvey Barnes on two separate occasions.
The match finally produced a goal just after the hour mark when Bruno Guimaraes poked the ball home from Barnes's well-weighted cross to score what proved to be the game's decisive goal, extending Newcastle's unbeaten run in Premier League away matches against West Ham to six matches (W4, D2).
The win moves the Magpies up to sixth position and level on 47 points with fifth-placed Manchester City, while the Hammers remain in 16th spot in the Premier League standings.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
While it was not a vintage performance from the Magpies, Eddie Howe will be pleased that his side dug deep to claim all three points to boost their confidence ahead of Sunday's EFL Cup final as well as helping their bid to achieve Champions League qualification.
However, Howe will be fully aware that his defence will face a much tougher test against Liverpool than they did against West Ham's underwhelming attack.
Mohammed Kudus often looked the most likely to make something happen from a West Ham perspective, but in truth, there was little to get the home supporters excited.
Graham Potter's side may have missed the chance to claim a third consecutive win, but with little to play for in the league, it is perhaps natural that their performance lacked intensity.
WEST HAM VS. NEWCASTLE HIGHLIGHTS
Guimaraes goal vs. West Ham (63th min, West Ham 0-1 Newcastle)
Newcastle take the lead just moments after Areola made a superb reaction save to prevent Max Kilman from diverting the ball into his own net. However, Areola could do nothing to prevent Guimaraes from breaking the deadlock at the London Stadium. Guimaraes stuck out his right leg to guide the ball in from Barnes' clipped delivery into the box. West Ham's appeals for a push on Kilman were in vain as VAR gave the goal the all-important green light.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BRUNO GUIMARAES
© Imago
Guimaraes ultimately proved to be the difference maker against the Hammers, with his goal sealing three crucial points in the race for Champions League qualification.
The Brazilian showed great determination to meet Barnes' cross at full stretch to score his third Premier League goal of the season.
Barnes also deserves a mention for his strong performance in just his eighth top-flight start of the season, as does Sandro Tonali for his battling display in midfield, demonstrated by the fact that he won nine of his 10 duels.
WEST HAM VS. NEWCASTLE MATCH STATS
Possession: West Ham 51%-49% Newcastle
Shots: West Ham 9-9 Newcastle
Shots on target: West Ham 2-3 Newcastle
Corners: West Ham 3-4 Newcastle
Fouls: West Ham 7-15 Newcastle
WHAT NEXT?
Newcastle can now turn their full focus to Sunday's highly-anticipated EFL Cup final against Liverpool, with the Magpies dreaming of ending their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
As for the Hammers, they will head on their travels for Saturday's Premier League clash against an Everton side managed by their former boss David Moyes.
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