Newcastle Toons
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Toon Takeaways from a Newcastle United letdown vs. West Ham

By Carson A Merk

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Mark Noble of West Ham United celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Mark Noble of West Ham United celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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For the second time this season, West Ham ended a Newcastle United winning streak.

With Newcastle United riding high, for the second time this Premier League season, West Ham playing spoiler and topped the Magpies. Declan Rice and Mark Noble provided the goals in a 2-0 Hammers’ win at London Stadium.

Top Toons

Ayoze Perez: While the final ball, shot or pass, wasn’t there for Ayoze, he was the most positive attacking player for the Toon.

Christian Atsu: Coming on as the last substitute, the winger did well to create some chances and use his pace to push the ball forward.

Mediocre Magpies

Florian Lejeune: There was no reason to slide in on Chicharito when he did and it cost Newcastle United. A couple of other times in the match, he was way out of position at crucial times.

Salomon Rondon: Typically a handful to deal with in the air, West Ham’s defenders seemed to have little trouble dealing with him today. When he got chances, he couldn’t capitalize.

Miguel Almiron: The record signing’s dream start to his Newcastle United career hit a bit of a speedbump today. He had very little impact for the Magpies.

Quick Kicks

  • Poor marking on the first goal. Poor decision making to give away the penalty. It was a frustrating first half as Newcastle United fell behind 2-0 by way of their own doing.
  • That chance from Fabian Schar right before the break could have been massive. Cutting the lead in half and taking some momentum into the second half. But, alas, a quality tackle from West Ham kept the Swiss defender off the board.
  • Sean Longstaff coming off for Mohamed Diame at the break was interesting. It wasn’t Longstaff’s best appearance, but I guess Rafa Benitez wanted more defensive prowess in the middle of the park. The young midfielder was also on a yellow card.
  • Speaking of substitutions, I would have been much happier to see Lejeune subbed off instead of Schar. Lejeune was the worst player on the pitch for me and Schar was quality going forward.
  • Still down two goals late, Rondon nearly pulled one back with a free kick. Unfortunately, today was not his day.

Next. Vote Longstaff for EPL Player of the Month. dark

What’s Next?

A week from today, Newcastle United will return to Tyneside to host Everton. The Toffees play in the Merseyside Derby tomorrow vs. Liverpool.