West Ham 2 Newcastle 2
By Hughie Southon
Mo Kudus scored his magnificent Premier League debut goal to earn the Hammers a thoroughly deserved point in an enthralling game.
The highly rated former Ajax man smashed an equaliser past Toon keeper Nick Pope with two minutes of the game left after the visitors had come from behind.
Tomas Soucek had given the Irons a first half lead from a beautifully chipped Emerson ball into the area to score his fourth goal of the season in his preferred attacking midfield role.
The Hammers – with Paqueta and Ward-Prowsein charge – dominated the first period but Newcastle hit back strongly in the second with Isak given them the lead with two goals inside five minutes between the 57th and 62 minutes.
The second was unfortunate with Aguerd missing his header to get the ball away and Alvarez helping the ball on to Isak.
The Hammers though showed their new found grit fighting back t create some fine chances before Kudus’ goal,
It could have been three points when Benrahma just failed to get on the end of a cross as the ball was driven in low.
A very decent performance in the main and good the Hammers have taken their position in seventh place and one point ahead of Newcastle into the international break.
You recently called for patience with Kudus – how right, this is a player. Just like Lucas, he needs to adjust to the Prem in midfield, which is full on. But he will. I just hope Moyes lets it develop and not force things positionally – how noticeable that suddenly Soucek is back now he is free to be himself, for Moyes got it completely wrong for both him and Dec, let’s hope he gets that. As it stands, Kudus opens up the Bowen/ Antonio switch!