‘He’s on fire’ – Rob Green loves what he saw ‘dangerous’ West Ham star do vs Newcastle
Rob Green was keen to point out one star who tipped the scales in West Ham’s favour against Newcastle United.
Alan Shearer was fuming with Eddie Howe’s side after throwing away the lead, having scored after just four minutes through Jacob Murphy, before an incredible fightback from the Hammers.
Lucas Paqueta has been linked with a West Ham exit once again, but it was the Brazilian who netted the equaliser in style before a Sven Botman own goal turned the tables ahead of the half-time whistle.
Tomas Soucek put the icing on the cake in the seventh minute of added time, handing Nuno Espirito Santo his first victory since taking charge at the London Stadium, much to the delight of the fans.
One player, however, got a special mention while the game was being analysed on Match of the Day.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka sets alight the London Stadium vs Newcastle
Speaking on the BBC show (2 November), Green said: “From there, they have the composure to say, ‘Where’s the space? Where do we get it?’ Get it to our man out wide, Wan-Bissaka.
“He’s on fire, and it’s another dangerous cross. Again, [Mateus] Fernandes is looking, and Wan-Bissaka is already on his way, and it’s another little combination with Jarrod Bowen.
“He causes confusion between [Anthony] Gordon and [Dan] Burn, creating the space for Wan-Bissaka. This caps off a brilliant first half from West Ham.”
As shown by the graphic from Football Insider‘s partnership with Opta, the former Man United man was up and down the right flank for the entire 90 minutes, making a key impact at the London Stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo adds more pressure on Eddie Howe
While it was the Magpies’ first defeat in four games across all competitions, it has been a disappointing campaign at St James’ Park to date.
Football Insider understands that Howe is under no immediate pressure at Newcastle, but fans are becoming frustrated, given that the team are currently sitting 13th in the Premier League table.
A late defeat to Brighton last month certainly did nothing to help Howe’s case, and unless he can rebound from the surprise defeat this weekend, the pressure could mount further.
Away from home, the Magpies are yet to win a single game in the Premier League, drawing three times and losing twice, and if Howe is to get his team up the table, that needs to change immediately.