Staff Reporter.
Newcastle United continued their bid for Premier League survival with a 1-1 draw away to top-four hopefuls West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday.
Craig Dawson who snatched a 2-2 draw at Leicester City last week, put West Ham in front in the 32nd minute, heading home a free kick from Aaron Cresswell.
But Newcastle pulled themselves level in added time of the first half with a classy finish from Joe Willock, which flummoxed West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and bobbled over the line, the goal given by goal line technology after the ball was scrambled away.
The draw meant West Ham stayed in fifth place on 42 points, one behind fourth-placed Manchester United, who visit Leeds United on Sunday.
Newcastle meanwhile extended their unbeaten run to six games and although they are still in 17th position they are now five points above the relegation zone.
Player ratings:
West Ham:Fabianski (7), Fredericks (5), Zouma (7), Dawson (8), Cresswell (6), Rice (5), Soucek (6), Benrahma (5), Fornals (5), Bowen (7), Antonio (4)
Subs: Vlasic (6), Johnson (6)
Newcastle:Dubravka (7), Krafth (7), Burn (8), Schar (8), Targett (8), Willock (8), Shelvey (7), Murphy (7), Joelinton (7), Fraser (7), Wood (7)
Subs:Bruno Guimarães (N/A), Almiron (N/A), Lascelles (N/A)
Man of the match:Joe Willock
“Champions League, you’re having a laugh” sang the Newcastle fans at full-time towards the Hammers whilst a section of the home fans booed their team off.
West Ham are back in Premier League action next Sunday (Feb 27) when they host Wolves, Meanwhile, Newcastle travel to Brentford next Saturday.