Newcastle United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium, with Bruno Guimaraes scoring the decisive goal. The win moves Newcastle into sixth place in the Premier League, level on points with Manchester City, as they continue their push for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Guimaraes Secures Three Vital Points for Newcastle
The game’s defining moment arrived in the 63rd minute when Harvey Barnes delivered a delicate chipped cross into the penalty area. Bruno Guimaraes, showing excellent positioning and awareness, stretched out his leg to guide the ball past West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
There were immediate protests from the West Ham players, who argued that Alexander Isak had pushed Max Kilman in the build-up. However, VAR did not intervene, and the goal stood, giving Newcastle the advantage they needed to secure all three points.
The match-winning moment! pic.twitter.com/bgAynyBMCn
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 11, 2025
After the match, Guimaraes spoke about the importance of the result, saying,
“It was a massive win. We want to fight for the Champions League again. The final has been a little bit of a distraction, but we want to make history.”
Newcastle’s victory comes at a crucial time, with the club preparing for Sunday’s League Cup final against Liverpool. Despite having one eye on the final, Eddie Howe’s men delivered a disciplined performance to claim all three points in London.
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West Ham’s Struggles in Attack Continue
West Ham entered the match in strong form, having won their last two league games without conceding. However, they lacked sharpness in attack, failing to convert the few chances they created.
Their best opportunity came in the opening moments when Tomas Soucek capitalized on a mistake by Newcastle’s Tino Livramento. The Czech midfielder found himself with a golden opportunity just six yards from goal but fired his shot over the bar.
Mohammed Kudus also had a promising moment before halftime but was held up by Kieran Trippier before he could get a shot away. The Hammers’ attacking struggles continued throughout the second half, as they failed to break down Newcastle’s resolute defense.
Manager Graham Potter was left frustrated after the game, particularly with the controversial goal.
“It’s two hands on the back. It’s a push. You can see from Isak’s non-celebration that he thinks it’s a push. Clear for us, but I’m not VAR,” said Potter.
Despite their protests, West Ham could not find an equalizer, leaving them in 16th place with 33 points, just above the relegation battle.
Barnes Impresses as Newcastle’s Attacking Threat
Harvey Barnes was one of Newcastle’s standout performers, playing a key role in the winning goal and causing problems for West Ham’s defense throughout the match.
In the first half, Barnes forced Areola into an excellent save with a close-range flick, nearly breaking the deadlock early on. His movement and link-up play with Isak and Anthony Gordon made life difficult for the West Ham backline.
His perfectly weighted assist for Guimaraes’ goal proved to be the decisive moment of the match, highlighting his importance to Newcastle’s attacking play.
Key Moments of the Match
- 2nd minute – Tomas Soucek fires over from close range after an early mistake by Newcastle’s defense.
- 23rd minute – Harvey Barnes forces Areola into a sharp save with a close-range flick.
- 63rd minute – Bruno Guimaraes stretches to score from Barnes’ chipped cross, giving Newcastle the lead.
- 75th minute – West Ham push for an equalizer but struggle to create clear chances.
- 90+3rd minute – Newcastle hold firm to secure the win and move into sixth place.
Newcastle’s Champions League Push Strengthens
With this victory, Newcastle are now level on points with Manchester City at 47, trailing fourth-placed Chelsea by just two points. The Magpies remain firmly in contention for a top-four finish, which would secure Champions League football next season.
Their defensive discipline and ability to grind out results in tough away fixtures have been key to their recent form. While they did not create many clear chances after taking the lead, their defensive solidity ensured they claimed all three points.
What’s Next for Newcastle and West Ham?
Newcastle’s next challenge is the League Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday, where they have the chance to win silverware. Eddie Howe will be hoping his side can carry their winning momentum into the final and secure their first major trophy in decades.
West Ham, meanwhile, must regroup and find a way to improve their attacking output as they continue their fight for safety in the Premier League. Their lack of cutting edge in front of goal has been a concern, and Graham Potter will need to find solutions quickly to avoid slipping further down the table.
Newcastle’s win gives them renewed confidence in their pursuit of a top-four finish, while West Ham must improve if they want to climb further up the standings.
