The Premier League returned with a bang and then a seven-goal thriller at St James’ Park kicked off the weekend’s action, which ended with a stunning 4-3 win for the home side.
West Ham thought they had secured a famous win of their own after initially falling behind by a goal to lead 3-1, before an excellent finish ended in misery for the visitors.
Harvey Barnes has seen his Magpies career hampered by injuries this season, but the 26-year-old finally got his lift-off moment after striking twice in the final ten minutes to turn the match on its head.
Newcastle supporters and Eddie Howe enjoyed a valuable victory, while David Moyes and his faltering Hammers stars were left with their heads in their hands wondering how things could go so wrong after being in such a controlling position.
Mail Sport’s Craig Hope gives his expert player ratings from St James’ Park.
The Premier League returned with a bang before a seven-goal thriller at St James’ Park got the weekend action underway
It was another nightmare performance from the bench for Kalvin Phillips as West Ham crumbled in the second half
Newcastle (4-3-3)
Martin Dubravka4
He stayed too close to his target for West Ham’s first. Weak hand for their second. No impact in third as he was re-rooted in goal.
Tino Livramento 5.5
Was bright early on but faded after moving to left back and was part of a poor defensive performance. Eliminated for second goal. Injured second half.
Jamaal Lascelles 6
Solid start before injuring his knee after 10 minutes and then being forced out.
Fabian Schar 5
He gave away the free-kick for West Ham’s second goal before lying face down on the ground. Also surpassed for third place by Kudus. Not his best afternoon.
Fabian Schar gave away the free-kick for West Ham’s second goal before staying on the ground and holding his face
Then Burn 5.5
Had done well at left-back against Bowen but struggled when moved to centre-back after Lascelles’ injury. Antonio and Kudus caused problems, but made some major interventions late on.
Sean Longstaff 5.5
Missed a sitter in the second half that betrayed a lack of confidence but continued to play a part in his team’s sensational finish.
Bruno Guimaraes 7
It was not the first time that he occasionally felt like he was only playing in midfield. His perseverance was the key to Newcastle’s comeback.
At times during the match it felt as if Bruno Guimaraes was playing alone in midfield
Joe Willock5
Can’t be fully fit as he just doesn’t impact matches as much as he could. I did not do much.
Jacob Murphy 6.5
Delivered some good balls and the energy was there until the last after a late move to right back. Looked good in that position.
Alexander Isaac8
Cool penalties and often dropped deep to get involved, the position from which he was first in Barnes’ position. His best performance in a long time.
Alexander Isak produced his best Newcastle display for a while as the Magpies fought back
Isak was clinical from the penalty spot as he scored twice from 12 yards against West Ham
Anthony Gordon 7.5
The commitment and intention were there from the start and they did well to win the early penalty. The end product was lacking in the middle period of the game, but his part in Barnes’ winner was sensational. Late red card a blow.
Anthony Gordon (right) was sent off late in the match after Barnes scored the winning goal
Subs
Emil Krafth (by for Lascelles 17) 4
Lewis Hall (on for Krafth 57) 7
Elliot Anderson (on for Willock 57) 7.5
Miguel Almiron (in for Livramento 57) 5
Harvey Barnes (through for Almiron 67) 8.5
Barnes was the star of the show as he scored twice in the final ten minutes to seal a stunning victory
Manager – Eddie Howe 7.5
Changes changed the game with Barnes, Anderson and Hall’s influential win. A big victory for him after a disastrous opening hour.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe made his tactical changes and celebrated emphatically at full-time
Westham (4-2-3-1)
Alfonso Areola 6
He made the saves he had to make with little effort before succumbing to injury at half-time.
West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had to be substituted at half-time after struggling with an injury
Vladimir Coufal 5.5
Gordon took control of the match after a difficult start in which he gave away a penalty, but the Newcastle winger ultimately came out on top.
Konstantinos Mavropanos 6.5
Made one wonderful corner to deny Isak a clear header on goal and was a strong presence until collapsing late on.
Kurt Zouma 5
The captain failed to take control as West Ham’s defense fell apart. He was absent for Barnes’ equalizer and led the inquest. He should have looked closer to home.
Hammers captain failed to take control as West Ham’s defense fell apart in the second half
Emerson Palmieri5.5
He had done well before going missing (along with defensive teammates) in the final 15 minutes as Newcastle ran riot.
James Ward-Prowse 6
Tired in the second half as West Ham lost control despite being cool on the ball for the first hour.
Tomas Soucek6
He went cold when Barnes ran clear for his first goal and it spoiled the midfielder’s otherwise solid performance.
Mohammed Kudus 8
Was the best player in the game before Newcastle’s comeback. So fast, direct and with quality. The finish was too strong for Newcastle goalkeeper Dubravka for his side’s second place finish. Made a beautiful run and pass to set up Bowen for the third.
Mohamed Kudus was the game’s best player and had attacking flair before Newcastle’s comeback
Lucas Paqueta7
Sublime pass over the top and it was on Antonio’s goal, which initially brought West Ham level. A class act on the ball, but more could have been achieved.
Jarrod Bowen 7.5
Assisted Kudus for the second goal of the match and provided a cool finish for the third goal. Bad luck to end up on the losing team.
Jarrod Bowen assisted Kudus for the second goal of the match and provided a cool finish for the third
Bowen cut a different figure in the final remains of stoppage time as Newcastle took the lead
Michael Antonio 7.5
A threat everywhere and clinical in delivering West Ham’s equalizer. Newcastle’s defense was bullied throughout. If he stays, West Ham will probably win.
Michail Antonio was a threat throughout and was clinical in delivering West Ham’s equalizer
Subs
Lukasz Fabiański (in for Areola 46) 5
Kalvin Phillips (on for Antonio 69) 3
Bem Johnson (on for Ward-Prowse 84)
Danny Ings (on for Coufal 90)
David Moyes changed the game with his substitutions, but not in the way he imagined
Manager – David Moyes 4
Like Howe, his subs changed the game. Just not in the way he imagined. Phillips’ arrival was a disaster.
