Magpies fight back for point
Newcastle produced a superb fightback as they came from two goals
down to claim a home point against West Ham.
The Hammers raced into a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Carlton
Cole and Marlon Harewood and they threatened to run riot just as
Birmingham had done in midweek.
However, James Milner reduced the arrears on the stroke of
half-time and, having dominated the second half, a penalty from
Nolberto Solano secured a point for the home side.
Returning skipper Scott Parker attempted to rally the Newcastle
troops with a pre-game huddle, but it failed to have the desired
effect as The Magpies looked short of confidence in the early
stages and Yossi Benayoun should have done better when lashing
wildly over the bar from 12 yards on eight minutes.
The powerful figure of Harewood escaped the attentions of Peter
Ramage and forced a save from Shay Given, who moments later clasped
a free-kick from Nigel Quashie as West Ham called the tune in the
early stages.
Newcastle were made to pay for failing to stamp their authority on
the game as Cole popped up on 18 minutes to score West Ham's first
away goal in the Premiership since August.
A devilish corner from Luis Boa Morte caused panic in the Newcastle
box, Calum Davenport climbed high and headed back across goal for
Cole to volley home from close range.
Newcastle at least reared their head above the parapet after
slipping behind and Obafemi Martins had a weak header saved by Roy
Carroll.
Harewood served notice of his threat on 11 minutes and Newcastle
failed to heed the warning as the powerful striker doubled West
Ham's lead on 22 minutes.
George McCartney played the ball into the forward, he rolled Ramage
far too easily for Newcastle's liking before advancing on goal and
stabbing a low shot beyond Given.
Ramage's misery was compounded on the half-hour mark as he was
forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, but shortly
after the defender's exit The Magpies fashioned three good
chances.
A neat ball from Milner resulted in Kieron Dyer volleying just
over, shortly afterwards Martins tricked his way past Davenport but
sliced his shot wide and moments later Alan O'Brien hit the outside
of the post with a fine drive.
Although Newcastle continued to frustrate the St James' Park
faithful by giving the ball away, they still created chances and
after Roy Carroll had saved from Nicky Butt, The Magpies reduced
the arrears on the stroke of half-time.
Milner had been Newcastle's brightest spark in the first half and
he cut onto his left foot and arrowed a shot into the far corner.
The goal angered The Hammers, though, as the effort went through
Parker's legs before finding its target and he was clearly in an
offside position in front of Carroll, but the goal was allowed to
stand.
Newcastle were much more urgent after the break, but it took a
slice of luck to hand them the chance to draw level as Boa Morte
unfortunately handled after slipping in his own area.
Solano took the responsibility from 12 yards and confidently tucked
the ball home to level the scores.
The goal brought about a total shift in momentum and Carroll had to
be at his best to deny Martins who had been teed-up superbly by
Dyer.
West Ham still carried an aerial threat and Davenport thought he
had made himself an instant hero when heading home from a corner,
but the debutant was denied a goal for a foul on Paul
Huntington.
Given will be sick of the sight of the claret shirts of West Ham as
he was forced off through injury for the second time this
season.
He suffered a serious stomach injury at Upton Park and on this
occasion it would appear as if he damaged his groin when attempting
to claim a cross.
Newcastle continued to drive forward and Solano found Dyer with a
great cross, but the midfielder was unfortunate to see his effort
cannon off the woodwork.
Substitute Matthew Etherington passed up a decent opportunity for
West Ham as, having rounded Steve Harper, he dallied and was
crowded out by defenders.
Carroll has reclaimed the West Ham number one jersey in recent
weeks and he proved exactly why in injury-time as he did superbly
to thwart Martins with a fine one-handed save as The Hammers took a
point back to East London.