Key Highlights
- West Ham won the first half against Newcastle with a 2-1 scoreline.
- Paqueta’s long-range strike leveled the game for West Ham in the second half.
- Botman scored an own goal to give West Ham the lead early on.
- Murphy scored just 26 seconds after Bowen hit the crossbar with a post-shot attempt.
West Ham vs Newcastle: A Thrilling First Half in the Premier League
The Premier League action was back on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, as West Ham United faced off against Newcastle United at the London Stadium. The match kicked off with a bang, and by halftime, the score stood at 2-1, favoring West Ham.
Botman’s Own Goal
The first goal of the game came in controversial circumstances. Just before full-time, West Ham took the lead through an own goal from Newcastle’s Botman. The ball skidded off the surface and found its way into his own net under goalkeeper Pope’s watch. This early lead set the tone for a closely contested match.
Paqueta’s Stunning Equalizer
The game was far from over, as West Ham needed to score again to maintain their lead. Just 29 seconds after half-time, Paqueta, a key figure in the Hammers’ squad, unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the box that caught Newcastle goalkeeper Pope off guard. The Brazilian’s strike was nothing short of spectacular and helped level the scores at 1-1.
Defensive Struggles
West Ham faced significant pressure in the second half, particularly as Newcastle sought to reclaim their lead. However, West Ham managed to hold strong under this defensive assault, with key saves from goalkeeper Areola and robust defending from their backline. Despite Newcastle’s efforts, they failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities.
Analysis and Expert Opinions
Chris Sutton, a well-known football pundit, provided expert analysis during the match. He commented, “Everything seemed to go against West Ham at the start of this game. Botman is unlucky, the ball was just put in there and Pope cannot recover, but West Ham deserve the lead.” Sutton further added, “Howe will be disappointed with Newcastle’s first-half display, they have lacked a bit of energy,” reflecting on the Toon’s sluggish performance.
West Ham’s performance was praised by another commentator who noted, “West Ham deserve it, there is no doubt about that, it is the power of Paqueta – Pope will feel he should have done better, he gets a strong hand to that and he will be hugely frustrated. A ‘keeper of his quality should be stopping that.” These insights highlight both the intensity of the match and the pivotal role played by individual players.
Conclusion
The first half of West Ham vs Newcastle was filled with drama, with own goals and spectacular long-range strikes changing hands frequently. As the match progresses into the second half, fans will be eager to see which team can seize the advantage and secure a victory in this vital Premier League clash.
