With just days remaining before their crucial Carabao Cup final showdown against Liverpool, Newcastle United managed to return to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over West Ham. While the performance was far from perfect, the result was exactly what Eddie Howe’s men needed to boost their confidence heading into their first domestic cup final since 1999.
A Gritty but Essential Victory
Given their recent struggles, Newcastle entered this fixture desperate for a positive result. Facing a formidable Liverpool side in the final, Howe’s squad needed to shake off any lingering doubts and rediscover their form before heading to Wembley. Although the game against West Ham was far from a spectacle, the three points could prove invaluable for their mindset ahead of the big occasion.
The match itself was largely uneventful in the first half. West Ham’s Thomas Soucek had an early opportunity within the opening 40 seconds, blasting his shot over the bar, while Harvey Barnes came closest for Newcastle with a header. Beyond those moments, the opening period was characterized by a lack of quality in the final third, with neither side able to gain a real foothold.
The second half continued in a similar vein until Bruno Guimarães broke the deadlock just after the hour mark. The Brazilian midfielder, who has been a key figure for Newcastle, reacted quickly to turn the ball into the net and secure the victory.
From that point on, Newcastle remained defensively solid, limiting West Ham’s attacking threat and seeing out the game with relative ease. While the performance wasn’t dominant, it was exactly the kind of resolute display needed to rebuild confidence.
However, with Liverpool awaiting at Wembley, Newcastle must improve significantly. They lacked sharpness in possession, struggled to create consistent chances, and at times looked vulnerable defensively. If they are to stand any chance of upsetting Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying Reds, they will need to be far more clinical and disciplined.
Player Ratings: Newcastle United 1-0 West Ham
Nick Pope – 7
As is often the case, his distribution was inconsistent, but his shot-stopping and command of his area were impressive. Made a crucial clearance late in the game when he had to head the ball away from danger. While he wasn’t tested too often, this performance will have helped restore his confidence ahead of the final.
Kieran Trippier – 7
With Lewis Hall unavailable, Trippier’s solid display at right-back was an encouraging sign before Wembley. He was defensively sound, particularly in his battle with the rapid Mohammed Kudus, making a key intervention to prevent a dangerous attack. His leadership and composure will be crucial against Liverpool.
Fabian Schär – 6
Had a relatively quiet game as Newcastle’s defense kept West Ham’s attackers at bay. However, he did have a couple of lapses in positioning that could have been punished on another day. Needs to be more focused for the final.
Dan Burn – 7
A towering presence at the back, Burn was generally solid, though he did make one mistimed challenge that could have proved costly. Picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul but was otherwise reliable in marshaling the defense.
Tino Livramento – 5
Playing out of position on the left flank, Livramento struggled to impact the game. Unlike Hall, who naturally bombs forward and delivers quality crosses, Livramento was forced to cut inside, limiting his effectiveness. Additionally, his mis-hit clearance and careless possession led to West Ham’s two best chances. A difficult outing.
Bruno Guimarães – 7
Showed glimpses of his best form, making intelligent runs into the box and playing some incisive passes. While his distribution was still slightly erratic at times, he was instrumental in securing the win, reacting quickest to turn in the decisive goal. A much-needed confidence boost ahead of the final.
Sandro Tonali – 8
A commanding midfield display. Tonali dominated the physical battle, winning most of his duels and ensuring Newcastle were rarely put under sustained pressure. His defensive contributions were immense, though he was occasionally sloppy in possession. Exactly the kind of tenacity Newcastle will need against Liverpool.
Joelinton – 6
His usual physical and aggressive presence in midfield, but his passing was inconsistent. Made some powerful driving runs but needs to be more precise with the ball.
Jacob Murphy – 5
Struggled to get involved in the game and, on the rare occasions he did, his decision-making let him down. A quiet performance.
Alexander Isak – 5
A frustrating night for the striker, who found himself isolated against West Ham’s deep defensive setup. Tried to make things happen but lacked support and service. Had one decent chance but sent his effort over the bar. On the bright side, he came through unscathed and got valuable minutes ahead of the final.
Harvey Barnes – 7.5
Newcastle’s liveliest attacker on the night. His movement and positioning caused problems for West Ham’s defense, and he played a key role in the winning goal, delivering the cross that led to Guimarães’ finish. Also came close to scoring himself with a well-timed header. A performance that bodes well for Wembley.
Substitutes
Joe Willock – 6
Brought energy into the midfield and worked hard to maintain Newcastle’s control.
Callum Wilson – 6
Put in a strong shift but had limited opportunities to make an impact.
Sean Longstaff – 5
Struggled in possession and lost the ball in a dangerous area, which could have been costly.
Looking Ahead to Wembley
While Newcastle’s performance against West Ham wasn’t particularly impressive, the victory was crucial for their morale ahead of one of the biggest matches in the club’s recent history. Beating Liverpool will require a monumental effort, and Eddie Howe will be well aware that his side must step up significantly.
The Magpies will need sharpness in attack, composure in midfield, and resilience at the back to stand any chance of upsetting the odds at Wembley. However, with Bruno Guimarães back among the goals, Sandro Tonali dominating midfield battles, and Harvey Barnes providing a much-needed attacking spark, there are reasons for optimism.
Newcastle fans have waited decades for a major trophy, and the stage is now set. The question remains: can Eddie Howe’s side rise to the occasion and etch their names into club history?
Newcastle United player ratings vs West Ham as Harvey Barnes does well but 5/10 star concerns ahead of final
