West Ham United manager David Moyes expressed his satisfaction with securing a point after Mohammed Kudus’ 89th-minute equalizer denied Newcastle United victory in an exhilarating match at London Stadium.
Newcastle seemed on course for their fifth consecutive win when Alexander Isak netted a brace in the second half, overturning Tomas Soucek’s early eighth-minute goal for the Hammers. However, Kudus, in his first Premier League goal since joining West Ham during the summer, fired a determined shot into the bottom corner, ensuring both teams shared the points in the capital.
Reflecting on the match, Moyes commended both teams, stating, “We were up against a truly formidable team, currently on par with the best in Europe. We came close to securing the win towards the end. Newcastle performed well, and we didn’t allow them too many opportunities. We had a few chances ourselves. I’m pleased that we earned a point here.”
As the dust settled, West Ham and Newcastle maintained their seventh and eighth positions in the league table, respectively, following their European encounters.
The match was a rollercoaster ride for West Ham fans. At halftime, it appeared that their team could match their best league start since the 1999-2000 season, potentially accumulating 16 points after eight games with a win against a fatigued Newcastle side.
Michail Antonio’s return from a hip injury boosted Moyes’ squad, and they seized the lead with their first attack. Emerson skillfully bypassed Newcastle’s goalkeeper Nick Pope, who had charged off his line, and a low cross allowed Soucek to comfortably slot the ball into the unguarded net.
However, as the second half began, Newcastle rallied, and West Ham appeared to be heading for their third Premier League defeat in four matches. That was until Kudus struck with a brilliant effort from the edge of the penalty area.
In the dying seconds of the game, West Ham came close to seizing victory when Jarrod Bowen’s shot was saved by Pope, narrowly eluding Said Benrahma as he attempted to capitalize on the rebound.
When asked about Kudus’ future role in the team, Moyes affirmed, “He will be a part of the team for years to come, so we are not in a rush. The team is achieving good results, but he can play a significant role in the future.”
After the match, Moyes also confirmed that England forward Jarrod Bowen had signed a new contract with the club.
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