West Ham 3–1 Newcastle: Lucas Paquetá’s Strike Helps Hammers Win
West Ham United produced one of their most complete performances of the season as they overcame Newcastle United 3–1 at the London Stadium, with Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paquetá once again at the heart of everything good for the Hammers. The result keeps West Ham within touching distance of the European qualification places and piles more pressure on an inconsistent Newcastle side.
From the opening whistle, West Ham looked sharp and organized. David Moyes’ men pressed high, moved the ball quickly through midfield, and looked threatening whenever Paquetá or Jarrod Bowen got on the ball. The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Mohammed Kudus latched onto a clever flick from Paquetá, driving past Dan Burn before slotting neatly beyond Nick Pope. It was a goal that summed up West Ham’s energy and precision.
Newcastle, missing key players through injury, struggled to find rhythm. Without the presence of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, they lacked creativity in the final third. Their best chance of the first half came from a long-range strike by Sean Longstaff, but Alphonse Areola was equal to it. The Magpies went into the break trailing and frustrated.
In the second half, Newcastle improved slightly, and their persistence was rewarded when Callum Wilson — introduced from the bench — capitalized on a defensive lapse to draw them level. For a brief spell, it looked like the visitors might snatch momentum. But West Ham, showing the resilience that has defined much of their season, quickly regained control.
The defining moment came in the 74th minute. A sweeping counterattack saw Bowen cut inside and find Paquetá on the edge of the box. The Brazilian took a deft touch before curling a sublime shot into the top corner — a goal of pure class that lifted the London Stadium to its feet. It was his fourth goal contribution in as many games, a testament to his growing influence in Moyes’ system.
West Ham sealed the victory late on when Michail Antonio powered home a header from a James Ward-Prowse corner, capping off a commanding display. The 3–1 scoreline reflected both their control and Newcastle’s defensive frailties on the day.
For Moyes, this win was another statement of intent. After mixed results early in the campaign, his side are now blending solidity with flair. Kudus continues to impress with his directness, Bowen remains a relentless threat, and Paquetá has emerged as the creative heartbeat of the team.
As for Newcastle, the defeat highlights ongoing issues with depth and consistency. Eddie Howe’s men remain dangerous, but injuries and a lack of sharpness away from home have slowed their momentum.
In the end, this was West Ham’s afternoon — a vibrant, confident performance anchored by Lucas Paquetá’s brilliance and a reminder that the Hammers are still a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.
