Slightly late, but the score gives us all plenty to talk about.....
West Ham's performances over the festive period mean Avram Grant's job appears safe, for now at least. However, a trip to St James' Park will be a salutary reminder of how quickly things can change; Chris Hughton guided Newcastle to victory in the reverse fixture yet was sacked six weeks later.
A change of management certainly looked on the cards following the Hammers' lifeless display against the Magpies on 23 October, but few would have expected it to come on Tyneside.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew could have found himself in the visitors' dug-out if West Ham had decided to axe Grant. The Englishman never made any secret of his desire to return to the club that sacked him in December 2006.
Pardew's controversial appointment at St James' Park caused unease amongst many Newcastle fans. However, performances so far have generally been encouraging, and memories of Hughton's ruthless dismissal are beginning to fade. Deprived of star man Andy Carroll against Wigan on Sunday, the Magpies nonetheless won comfortably to move into the top half of the table.
West Ham ended their 16-month wait for an away league win at Fulham on Boxing Day, and took seven points from a possible nine over the festive period. However, they have not won back-to-back games on the road since 2007, while their last win at Newcastle was in 1998.
Head-to-head
• West Ham have not won at St James' Park since 1998, when the Hammers won 3-0. Ian Wright scored a brace in that game.
Newcastle
• The Magpies have scored 20 goals in their 10 league games at St James' Park but have been beaten four times - no top-flight side has suffered more defeats on their own turf.
• They have won only two of their last nine league games on Tyneside, keeping one clean sheet.
• Newcastle have won six of the eight league games in which they scored first this term (W6, D1, L1).
West Ham
• The Hammers' 3-1 win at Fulham ended a run of 27 away league games without a victory. It was their first success on the road since beating Wolves on the opening day of the 2009/10 campaign.
• They have not won back-to-back away matches in the Premier League since December 2007, when they took maximum points at Blackburn and then Middlesbrough.
• Carlton Cole has netted in his last two games against Newcastle.
Current Score
5-0
Best(18, 39, 60), Nolan(45), Lovenkrands(63)West Ham's performances over the festive period mean Avram Grant's job appears safe, for now at least. However, a trip to St James' Park will be a salutary reminder of how quickly things can change; Chris Hughton guided Newcastle to victory in the reverse fixture yet was sacked six weeks later.
A change of management certainly looked on the cards following the Hammers' lifeless display against the Magpies on 23 October, but few would have expected it to come on Tyneside.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew could have found himself in the visitors' dug-out if West Ham had decided to axe Grant. The Englishman never made any secret of his desire to return to the club that sacked him in December 2006.
Pardew's controversial appointment at St James' Park caused unease amongst many Newcastle fans. However, performances so far have generally been encouraging, and memories of Hughton's ruthless dismissal are beginning to fade. Deprived of star man Andy Carroll against Wigan on Sunday, the Magpies nonetheless won comfortably to move into the top half of the table.
West Ham ended their 16-month wait for an away league win at Fulham on Boxing Day, and took seven points from a possible nine over the festive period. However, they have not won back-to-back games on the road since 2007, while their last win at Newcastle was in 1998.
Head-to-head
• West Ham have not won at St James' Park since 1998, when the Hammers won 3-0. Ian Wright scored a brace in that game.
Newcastle
• The Magpies have scored 20 goals in their 10 league games at St James' Park but have been beaten four times - no top-flight side has suffered more defeats on their own turf.
• They have won only two of their last nine league games on Tyneside, keeping one clean sheet.
• Newcastle have won six of the eight league games in which they scored first this term (W6, D1, L1).
West Ham
• The Hammers' 3-1 win at Fulham ended a run of 27 away league games without a victory. It was their first success on the road since beating Wolves on the opening day of the 2009/10 campaign.
• They have not won back-to-back away matches in the Premier League since December 2007, when they took maximum points at Blackburn and then Middlesbrough.
• Carlton Cole has netted in his last two games against Newcastle.
