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Newcastle’s revival continued with a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw against West Ham’s top four prospects.
Joe Willock’s scruffy equalizer nullified Craig Dawson’s header as the Magpies went six Premier League games unbeaten.
It was another important point in Newcastle’s survival bid and it was all the more impressive as they were arguably without their two most important players, with Allan Saint-Maximin and Kieran Trippier both injured.
For West Ham, it looked more like a two-point loss as they missed the chance to climb over Manchester United in fourth.
Kurt Zouma was reinstated in the West Ham defense after missing the tie at Leicester through illness, and Newcastle fans were quick to remind him of his cat-kicking shame, waving inflatable felines and booing every touch of the French defender.
West Ham survived an early scramble from the mouth of the goal when Jacob Murphy’s shot was blocked with Willock firing the rebound.
The hosts gradually gained a foothold in the game, and Michail Antonio’s drive was blocked by Matt Targett.
Moments later, Declan Rice’s diagonal ball found Ryan Fredericks, who deftly headed it in the direction of Jarrod Bowen.
England prospect Bowen moved forward before hitting an angled shot which Toon keeper Martin Dubravka tipped against the crossbar.
A point on the road for Eddie Howe’s men.
⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/M8FB5eiTpn
– Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 19, 2022
West Ham have spread the goals this season and this time it was defender Dawson who scored his second in two games.
After Emil Krafth was cautioned for a rough check on Antonio, Aaron Cresswell swung the free kick in from the left and Dawson came home powerfully.
It was the Hammers’ 11th goal from a free-kick this season and a seventh assist of the campaign for left-back Cresswell.
However, West Ham’s back four are currently not as proficient in their day job, and they handed Newcastle an equalizer in first-half stoppage time.
Rice missed his attempt to head Ryan Fraser’s cross and Willock came between Fredericks and Dawson and pushed the ball to the far post, with Lukasz Fabianski unable to clear it before it crossed the line.
After the break, Willock sent a curler from just wide after Joelinton robbed hardworking Tomas Soucek in midfield.
David Moyes took Said Benrahma out 15 minutes from time and the Algerian received a chilly reception from his manager as he moved too slowly.
Substitute Nikola Vlasic nearly handed Pablo Fornals a winner but once again a body wall from Newcastle held the hosts at bay to save a point.
