West Ham ratings vs Newcastle; Where did that come from as just one starter gets less than 9/10

Julen Lopetegui went into the game knowing a heavy defeat to the in-form Magpies could see him axed.

The Hammers were booed off after a drab 0-0 draw at home to Everton before the international break.

Quite what has happened in the two weeks since is anybody’s guess because West Ham looked a completely different team.

Make no mistake this wasn’t just their best performance of the season, this was arguably West Ham’s best of the entire year.

That’s no great achievement given the low barometer that had seen just nine wins in 39 matches in since the turn of the year.

Good old trusty Tomas Soucek gave West Ham a shock lead at St James’s Park with a header from a corner.

Where did that come as West Ham put in performance of the year

Remarkably it was West Ham’s first goal from a corner in 50 attempts this season.

We shouldn’t get too carried away.

Newcastle wasted numerous chances in key moments.

Lopetegui’s side rode their luck big time – as they tend to in most games.

But suddenly the team looked like it had plan, patterns of play, fight, resilience, an identity.

There was brilliant passages of attacking play all over the pitch.

West Ham were digging in, showing passion and looking very much like they were playing for their manager.

The Irons attacked and defended as a team and thoroughly deserved the victory.

Nobody summed that up more than one player who did both brilliantly – Aaron Wan-Bissaka. His best performance yet was capped with a superbly taken goal.

The biggest question on everyone’s lips after the game was: where has this been?

To that end this kind of performance can frustrate as much as it delights.

But let’s enjoy this, after all there has not been much to shout about since we were all rejoicing in what looked a magnificent summer transfer window.

And it was the last of the summer’s arrivals, Carlos Soler, who knitted it all together – out of nowhere.

Just one Hammers starter gets less than 9/10

Soler has looked lightweight and ill-fitting for the rough and tumble of the Premier League so far.

But he’s only had a few cameos and here as a starter, he showed why he plays for PSG and has been a full Spain international.

And why he earns nearly £250k a week in Paris.

It wasn’t just Soler, though. You could single out pretty much every player for praise. They were at it all over the pitch in as comprehensive away performance as you will see.

West Ham ratings vs Newcastle; Where did that come from as just one starter gets less than 9/10.

Lukasz Fabianski – 10/10: Made a host of crucial saves to keep Newcastle out at key times. But Fabianski just does all the basics so well it gives the new-look defence in front of him much more confidence.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 10/10: All we heard ahead of the game was how good Newcastle right-back Tino Livramento is. A fine young player yes. But Wan-Bissaka made a mockery of the hype by putting in a stunning performance. He has been brilliant for the most part since arriving in the summer for £15m. Today was Wan-Bissaka’s most complete performance yet. Brilliant defensively shackling Anthony Gordon and co. And going forward he dispelled myths he can’t attack. His passing, skill and pace are such an asset for the Hammers. Wan-Bissaka crowned it with a brilliantly taken goal.

Max Kilman – 9/10: Kilman has been superb since signing for £40m. It continues to look like a bargain. He was key to everything good about West Ham, starting the play from the back with poise and style. Made a few bursting runs forward. Lead by example. Class.

Jean-Clair Todibo – 6/10 (Konstantinos Mavropanos – 7/10): The Frenchman was one of the players Lopetegui referred to as being a potential doubt for the game. He played but looked out of sorts, struggling with his mobility. Todibo nearly cost his team a goal when 1-0 up. He eventually succumbed to the injury and was replaced by Konstantinos Mavropanos. After an initially shaky start the big Greek settled and did well overall as Newcastle huffed and puffed.

Emerson Palmieri – 9/10 (Vladimir Coufal – 6/10): Emerson has been hot and cold all year – like most of the team. This was him at his swashbuckling best. Ran himself into the ground and got an assist for Soucek’s goal. Came off exhausted for Coufal, who never lets anyone down.

Tomas Soucek – 10/10: Super Tom does it again. A true West Ham legend. Yes I said it. Sometimes scapegoated by fans when things aren’t going well. Lopetegui quickly saw Soucek’s value to this team and he hasn’t let him down. Soucek has been one of West Ham’s best players this season and stepped up yet again. A great headed goal – the three little movements to escape his marker were genius. Gave everything defensively too.

Soler and Wan-Bissaka fundamental to West Ham win

Lucas Paqueta – 9/10: This is the Brazilian magnifico we all know and love. If Paqueta played like this every week West Ham would be right in the European mix. So if he can maintain this kind of display there’s no reason we can’t be in time. Controlled the midfield and besides a couple of ill-advised backheels, played for the team. His best performance of the year hands down.

Carlos Soler – 10/10 (Guido Rodriguez – 6/10): Others will get more plaudits but for me Soler was West Ham’s real man of the match. The Spaniard looks fit, quick across the ground and a very VERY clever player. He knitted the entire performance together and showed real leadership too. With more games he could be some player for the Hammers. Outstanding. Rodriguez not on long enough to make any real impact.

Jarrod Bowen – 10/10: Does this man ever stop running? A true captain’s performance. Got the players in a huddle before the game and looked like he meant business. Then he went on the pitch and did the business. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet but up there with Soler for man of the match.

Crysencio Summerville – 9/10 (Andy Irving – 6/10): West Ham fans could see Summerville was a proper player the moment they saw him. He’s had to be patient but this was his best overall performance too. Terrorised Newcastle and had them constantly on the back foot. If he got a goal or assist it would have been a 10/10 display. What a talent the Hammers have on their hands for just £26m. How great to see Irving come on too. His composure was impressive and he did a little shimmy which drew big cheers from the travelling fans.

Michail Antonio – 9/10 (Danny Ings – 7/10): Where has this Antonio been too? Brilliant all-round centre-forward display. At nearly 35 West Ham cannot keep relying on Antonio for this all-action displays week in, week out. The only thing missing for the Jamaican was a goal. He looked so fired up and worked extremely hard for the team – which hasn’t always been the case this season. Came off for Danny Ings, who was unlucky not to start. Ings was great too, showing neat touches and coming close to getting a goal.

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