Newcastle surged back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 against West Ham in a Premier League classic.
A truly bonkers game played out at St James’ Park as Eddie Howe’s side suffered several injuries during the game and there were some hugely controversial moments.
Alexander Isak gave Newcastle an early lead from the penalty spot but West Ham surged into a 3-1 lead thanks to Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen. But then the Hammers stopped playing and even though Newcastle lost Lascelles, Livramento and Almiron to injury as their crisis continues, they were then handed a lifeline back into the game.
Referee Rob Jones was asked to go to the pitch-side monitor by VAR and he gave a penalty kick to Newcastle for a harsh decision against Kalvin Phillips. Isak scored to make it 3-2, then substitute Harvey Barnes, who only came on because fellow sub Almiron was injured, won the game. The English winger slotted home to make it 3-3 and then curled home a stunner in the 90th minute to win it and send St James’ Park wild.
There was still time for Anthony Gordon, who won two penalty kicks, to get sent off but Newcastle held on to complete their miraculous comeback.
Eddie Howe’s side are now on 43 points as they make a late-season push for the top six. West Ham are just one point ahead of them after suffering their first defeat in five games.
Woeful decision swings epic game in Newcastle’s favor
With 13 minutes to go injury-ravaged Newcastle were 3-1 down at home to West Ham. Then they were handed a way back into the game. Anthony Gordon won his second penalty kick of the game in the same fashion as he won his first, as he stuck his leg in front of Kalvin Phillips who was clearing the ball in his own box. Gordon went down. VAR asked referee Rob Jones to go to the monitor. A penalty kick was awarded. Isak scored. Newcastle had their way back into the game but it was a decision which made no sense. At no time did Gordon have control of the ball. At no time did Phillips intend to kick Gordon. Contact was made but common sense wasn’t present. There is no way that was a penalty kick. But it was given and sparked an incredible late Newcastle comeback as they won 4-3. Look, Newcastle deserved the win. They hung in there and created plenty of chances in the second half as West Ham inexplicably stopped playing when they went 3-1 up. But Newcastle were handed a way back into this game just as West Ham looked likely to see things out. The penalty decision for the ‘foul’ on Gordon swung a truly bonkers game in Newcastle’s favor.
Newcastle vs West Ham player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Isak was excellent. He finished his penalties well and grabbed a crucial assist as he led the line superbly. Anthony Gordon never stopped running, while Paqueta and Kudus were both excellent on the counter for West Ham but ran out of steam in the second half.
What’s next?
Newcastle host Everton at St James’ Park on Tuesday, April 2, while West Ham host London rivals Tottenham on the same day.
How to watch Newcastle vs West Ham live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 8:30am ET Saturday
TV Channel: USA Network
Stream online: Watch live on NBC.com
Newcastle vs West Ham final score: 4-3
Isak 6', 77', Barnes 83', 90'; Antonio 21', Kudus 45+10', Bowen 48'
Newcastle vs West Ham live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Newcastle 4-3 West Ham
What an incredible game. It had everything. Newcastle deserved the win after a stirring second half comeback as West Ham had no control on the game after going 3-1 down and just sat back. Some very controversial decisions will dominate the headlines but Newcastle won’t care.
Anthony Gordon sent off for a second yellow
Newcastle will play the final few minutes of stoppage time down a man as Anthony Gordon is sent off. He picked up a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. West Ham are going for it now and leaving huge gaps.
Barnes curls home stunner - Newcastle 4-3 West Ham (90th minute)
What a moment! After great work from Gordon, Harvey Barnes wriggles free and curls home from distance. St James’ is going bonkers. What a comeback.
Barnes equalizes! Incredible comeback - Newcastle 3-3 West Ham (83rd minute)
Newcastle have done it. Isak with a brilliant pass to Barnes who times his run perfectly and slots home to send St James’ Park wild. What are West Ham doing? Newcastle are pushing to win this now...
Penalty given after an on-field review... and Isak scores! - Newcastle 2-3 West Ham (77th minute)
Substitute Kalvin Phillips goes to clear the ball in his own box and Anthony Gordon gets a leg just in front of him before he kicks it. Phillips doesn’t see Gordon at all and catches him. VAR asks referee Rob Jones to go to the monitor and he gives a penalty kick. It’s really harsh on Philips. Isak tucks it away in exactly the same way he scored the first one. Game on!
Injuries, and chances, continue for Newcastle
Longstaff should score, while substitute goalkeeper Fabianski does well to deny Harvey Barnes, then Barnes goes close again. Amid all of that Livramento and substitute Almiron have both been subbed off through injuries as Newcastle’s injury crisis is worsening. West Ham are playing a risky game with 15 or so minutes to go.
Bowen slots home on the counter after Kudus’ lovely pass - Newcastle 1-3 West Ham (48th minute)
That is a hammer blow from the Hammers. From a Newcastle corner, Kudus is free on the left wing and has a lot to do. But he plays a great ball across to Bowen who is in on goal and finishes calmly to put West Ham in a commanding position. That is Bowen’s 15th Premier League goal of the season.
Half time: Newcastle 1-2 West Ham
What a wild, and very long, first half that was. We had almost 15 minutes stoppage time and Newcastle’s early lead has evaporated as Paqueta’s quick-thinking has led to both of West Ham’s goals. The second was controversial as Schar went down under contact from Kudus who flicked him in the face. West Ham look the more dangerous and Newcastle are all over the place at the back as their defensive injuries continue to hamper them. Big 45 minutes coming up for both teams in their respective seasons.
Kudus finishes brilliantly as West Ham controversially take the lead - Newcastle 1-2 West Ham (45th minute+ 10)
Kudus is fouled by Schar and West Ham take the free kick quickly as Paqueta finds Bowen and he tees up Kudus who finishes really well. But Newcastle aren’t happy. Schar stayed down after he fouled Kudus as there was a stray arm from the West Ham man which caught Schar in the face. Was there enough contact there for Schar to go down like that and receive treatment? It was a whack to the face but it didn’t seem like Schar suffered a head injury and play had to be stopped and medical teams sent on.
Bruno smashes the frame of the goal
What a hit that is but it cannons off the frame of the goal! Bruno spanks one from the edge of the box which looks like it’s flying in but it wallops the corner of the post and bar and flies out. This is a very end-to-end game and both teams are looking dangerous on the counter.
So many stoppages in recent minutes with Paqueta and Bruno scrapping
The Brazilian international midfielders are going at it in the center of the pitch. Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes are involved in an almighty scrap but they’ve just hugged it out after the latest exchange.
What a ball from Paqueta and a clinical finish from Antonio - Newcastle 1-1 West Ham (21st minute)
Lovely goal from West Ham as Lucas Paqueta clips a perfect ball through the heart of the Newcastle defense and Michail Antonio surges in on goal and finishes emphatically. Ruthless from West Ham but Newcastle’s much-changed defense was all over the place there.
Yet another center back injury for Newcastle
Newcastle are now down to one fit senior center back. Jamaal Lascelles has been forced off, with Emil Krafth coming on at right back. That means Tino Livramento switches to left back and Dan Burn moves to center back. Fabian Schar is the only out-and-out center back fit for Newcastle now, while Burn can play there. Newcastle’s injury nightmare continues.
Two minutes in and we have a penalty kick... which Isak scores - Newcastle 1-0 West Ham (6th minute)
Anthony Gordon is taken down in the box by Coufal as they both lunge in for the loose ball and a penalty kick is awarded. But hang on, VAR is having a long look at this for a possible offside on Gordon as Schar played the ball forward. But it is not offside as Mavropanos made a deliberate attempt to play the ball and therefore Gordon was not offside. Isak steps up and slots home the penalty kick off the post and in. St James’ Park erupts. Perfect start for Newcastle.
Newcastle lineup
Dubravka; Livramento, Lascelles, Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes; Willock, Murphy, Gordon; Isak
West Ham lineup
Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson; Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio
Newcastle focus, team news
The Sven Botman injury will ask a lot of old hands Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar, while the midfield is still hampered with Lewis Miley joining long-term absences Joelinton and Sandro Tonali on the sidelines. Can Bruno Guimaraes outshine good friend and countryman Lucas Paqueta in the midfield, and will that be enough?
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Callum Wilson (chest), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Sven Botman (knee), Lewis Miley (lower back) | QUESTIONABLE: Kieran Trippier (calf), Harvey Barnes (thigh), Tino Livramento (ankle)
West Ham focus, team news
West Ham won’t have El Tri star Edson Alvarez but will feel good about their midfield if Mohammed Kudus passes his fitness test. Jarrod Bowen was once an often-mentioned target for Newcastle and could really pose a problem for the Magpies back line.
OUT: Edson Alvarez (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Maxwel Cornet (hamstring), Mohammed Kudus (knee)