West Ham 2-2 Newcastle: highlights Mohammed Kudus’ first Premier League goal earns Hammers last-minute draw
Mohammed Kudus’ last-minute strike snatched a 2-2 draw for West Ham against Newcastle in a game of high controversy at the London Stadium.
Kudus rifled home from 20 yards to rescue a point with his first Premier League goal, denying Newcastle a victory that had seemed so certain after Alexander Isak’s quick-fire double either side of the hour mark.
Vladimir Coufal fired West Ham ahead inside eight minutes with their first and only shot of the first half from Emerson’s square ball, after fine work from Lucas Paqueta.
But the main talking point of the opening 45 minutes was Peter Bankes’ failure to send off Bruno Guimaraes for a foul on James Ward-Prowse which appeared a clear second yellow card, and was labelled a “disgrace” by Jamie O’Hara on Sky Sports News.
There was more controversy about Isak’s equaliser 12 minutes into the second period, finished off from close-range after a free-kick against Paqueta which had appeared to be extremely soft.
His second, five minutes later, was just a goal of pure quality, finishing off Miguel Almiron’s pinpoint first-time cross.
The sense of ill-feeling around the London Stadium was growing until Kudus’ late equaliser out of nothing, to keep West Ham above Newcastle by a point and end the visitors’ three-game winning streak.
What’s next?
West Ham face Aston Villa in the league after the international break on Sunday October 22, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm; kick-off 4.30pm.
Newcastle host Crystal Palace in the league on Saturday October 21; kick-off 3pm.
Hammers snatch late leveller
West Ham fans went through a whole range of emotions across the 90 minutes.
At half-time, it looked as if their team would equal their best league start since the 1999-2000 season, putting themselves on track for 16 points after eight games with a win over a leggy Newcastle.
David Moyes’ side were boosted by the return of forward Michail Antonio, who was back from a hip injury, and they took the lead from their first attack.
Emerson knocked the ball around Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, who had raced from his line, and a low cross allowed unmarked midfielder Soucek to tap into an empty net.
When Newcastle responded at the start of an exciting second period, West Ham then appeared to be slipping to a third Premier League defeat in four matches.
That was until Kudus struck brilliantly from the edge of the penalty area.
And in the last few seconds the home team nearly snatched victory when Jarrod Bowen’s shot was saved by Pope, the ball just evading the onrushing Said Benrahma as he looked to knock in the rebound.
Tiredness a factor for Toon
Newcastle were the better side across the first 88 minutes and almost backed up their superb midweek win over French champions Paris St-Germain.
After going close to an equaliser through two Dan Burn headers, Isak levelled in the 57th minute, blasting the ball into the net after a free-kick was diverted into his path.
Four minutes and 28 seconds later the Swedish forward added another, tapping in Kieran Trippier’s pass across goal.
Isak almost made it a first Premier League hat-trick but struck the post from a tight angle having dribbled the ball beyond West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola.
That was Newcastle’s best chance for a third, but, with the visitors unable to kill off the game, tiredness came into play.
West Ham’s five changes from their midweek XI compared to Newcastle’s one became evident, with the Hammers far more energetic in the closing stages as they not only levelled but nearly found a very late winner.
The international break means Eddie Howe’s side next play on Saturday, 21 October, at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
West Ham are away to Aston Villa a day later.
