West Ham 0-2 Newcastle Player Ratings: Wilson & Hendrick Strike to Sink Dismal Hosts
Newcastle got off to a perfect start on their return to Premier League action, beating West Ham 2-0 at the London Stadium thanks to debut strikes from Callum WIlson and Jeff Hendrick.
The Magpies dominated the game from the off, pinning back the Hammers and posing plenty of problems with their pace and power in attack. The deadlock was broken just after half-time, when a deflected cross was flicked on by Hendrick, and Wilson was on hand to poke home from close range.
West Ham continued to struggle, failing to create many openings at all, and Hendrick ended the game as a contest with a fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area with just under five minutes left on the clock.
With the tale of the tape now out of the way, let's get into those London Stadium player ratings.
WEST HAM
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Lukasz Fabianski (GK) - 6/10 - Didn't cover himself in glory with Wilson's close range strike, although his backline was much more at fault for their lack of concentration.
Ryan Fredericks (RB) - 5/10 - Dealt with the threat of Saint-Maximin to the best of his ability, but the French forward still got the better of his man on countless occasions. A tough evening.
Angelo Ogbonna (CB) - 5/10 - A disappointing display. Ogbonna did his best against the endless height and strength of Carroll, but switched off on the opening goal. Didn't get better from then on.
Issa Diop (CB) - 5/10 - The least impressive of the two centre-backs, Diop struggled to defend against the power of Carroll, and the pace and magic of Wilson and Saint-Maximin. One to forget.
Aaron Cresswell (LB) - 5/10 - Another poor performance from the West Ham left-back. Cresswell never quite got up to speed with the game, and will be disappointed with his hand in Newcastle's opening goal. Nowhere to be seen for the second, either.
2. Midfielders
Declan Rice (CM) - 6/10 - Plenty of desire, but not the end-product needed. Rice struggled to get to grips with the game, but began to gain control as the minutes ticked by. Tried to drag West Ham back into the match, and drove forward with some nice dribbles late on.
Tomas Soucek (CM) - 6/10 - The best midfielder in a West Ham shirt tonight. Defensively resolute and tidy on the ball, Soucek was almost impressive, and could have got his name on the scoresheet. Ultimately, it wasn't enough.
Mark Noble (CM) - 5/10 - Offered very little going forward, and a similar level in defence. Noble was tasked with linking the midfield with the forwards but he failed to stamp any creativity or identity on the match.
3. Forwards
Jarrod Bowen (RW) - 6/10 - Plenty of drive and ambition from Bowen, but the final ball and killer instinct was lacking. The winger took the game to the Magpies with his dribbling and direct play, but he was missing any real help around him.
Michail Antonio (ST) - 7/10 - The most dangerous of the Hammers' front three. Antonio battled manfully, forcing the issue and carving some decent opportunities for himself, in a game where he was starved of service. Deserved better tonight.
Pablo Fornals (LW) - 5/10 - Another tame, limp performance from Fornals. The Spaniard rarely threatened the Newcastle backline and failed to get the better of Manquillo.
4. Substitutes
Sebastien Haller (ST) - 5/10
Andriy Yarmolenko (RW) - 6/10
Felipe Anderson (LW) - N/A
NEWCASTLE UNITED
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Karl Darlow (GK) - 7/10 - Straight-forward first half for the shot-stopper, who had little to do. Second period was a bit more tense, but he stood up to every test that was thrown his way.
Javi Manquillo (RB) - 8/10 - Defended solidly and supported the attack when possible. Produced the deflected cross which led to the opening goal. A good night's work.
Federico Fernandez (CB) - 7/10 - Kept West Ham at arm's length with some strong blocks and tight marking. Posed a threat at the opposite end of the pitch from set pieces, too.
Jamaal Lascelles (CB) - 8/10 - A typically commanding display from the centre-back, repelling plenty of aerial challenges and disrupting the physical Antonio.
Jamal Lewis (LB) - 8/10 - Exciting performance from Lewis. The full-back loved bombing forward, attacking with intent and boasted plenty of neat footwork. Defensively, he was equally as solid.
6. Midfielders
Jeff Hendrick (RM) - 9/10 - Typically industrious and relentless from Hendrick. First to react to a loose ball and put it into Wilson's path for the opening goal. Then hammered home a second to kill the contest. Superb.
Jonjo Shelvey (CM) - 7/10 - Did his usual spraying of the ball around the pitch, while adding plenty of industry and biting into tackles in the middle of the park.
Isaac Hayden (CM) - 7/10 - Like his central partner, Hayden got stuck in and played the game as asked of him. No nonsense and a touch of class, too.
Allan Saint-Maximin (LM) - 8/10 - Any defender's nightmare. Saint-Maximin tore behind the West Ham defence at every opportunity, his quick footwork frightening the full-back. Only problem is, no one on his team can keep up with him. Quality player.
7. Forwards
Andy Carroll (ST) - 7/10 - You know what you're gonna get with Carroll, don't you? A handful, challenging for every vertical ball, climbing all over his marker and generally being a pain in the backside. Won every duel in his own box, too. Committed.
Callum Wilson (ST) - 8/10 - An exciting debut. Wilson played like a Newcastle veteran, linking up with his teammates brilliantly. Pulled the centre-backs all over the shop, and created several chances for himself and his teammates. Got his reward in the second half with a proper poacher's goal. Good signing.
8. Substitutes
Joelinton (ST) - 6/10
Miguel Almiron (LW) - 6/10
Sean Longstaff (CM) - N/A
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