"Their side had not long come from behind to go 2-1 up against Newcastle United when gallows humour swept across the London Stadium. "How bad must you be?" thousands of fans asked in unison as the first half drew to a close. "We're winning at home!" The language was slightly stronger, of course, but for the first time in in nearly nine months, West Ham were on course for a home victory."
"To think this was a team fresh from three significant home victories in three different competitions against Tottenham, Fulham and Benfica. But Eddie Howe's side have looked a different animal away from St James' Park, failing to win an away league game since April. "Forget my name, it didn't look like a Newcastle team we have seen in recent seasons," the head coach said after Sunday's 3-1 defeat."
"Though Newcastle players technically covered more distance - 116.85km in all - they did not look their usual intense selves after Murphy gave them an early lead. The visitors repeatedly gave the ball away. The midfield three, often lauded as one of the best in the league, failed to take control of the game. The hallmarks of this side - pace and power in all areas of the field - were absent. "I didn't like the body language of the group," Howe said."
West Ham overturned an early Newcastle lead to win 3-1 at the London Stadium, with Tomas Soucek sealing the victory in stoppage time. West Ham supporters expressed surprise and gallows humour as the team claimed a first home win in nearly nine months. Newcastle arrived with squad rotation and recent strong home form but lacked intensity and cohesion away from St James' Park, surrendering possession and failing to control midfield. Nick Pope made several important saves but the visitors repeatedly gave the ball away. Eddie Howe criticized the team's body language after the defeat.
Read at www.bbc.com
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