West Ham stun Newcastle to ease pressure on Lopetegui

West Ham secure crucial 2-0 win against Newcastle, easing pressure on manager Lopetegui with clinical away performance.

West Ham produced a clinical away performance to beat resurgent Newcastle 2-0 on Monday (November 26, 2024), easing the pressure on beleaguered manager Julen Lopetegui.

Tomas Soucek headed the visitors in front against the run of play at St James' Park and Aaron Wan-Bissaka grabbed a rare goal in the second half to double the Hammers' lead.

Newcastle were unable to capitalise on the chances they created, failing to build on the momentum created by recent wins against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

The result, only West Ham's second win on the road this season, lifts them to 15 points, just three behind 10th-placed Newcastle, who missed out on the chance to move into the top six.

It will be a huge relief for Lopetegui, whose future has been a matter of mounting speculation just months after he replaced David Moyes.

"We are happy, above all because we achieved the three points, which is one important thing, but above all because I think that we played well," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.

"We are happy, but tomorrow we are working hard, looking forward to the next challenge (against Arsenal). To think about the long future doesn't help, ever."