Newcastle is up 3-0 on West Ham after 45 minutes, and while I hope the Hammers make this interesting, forcing me to hypothetically eat my virtual words, this match is over. The Magpies have dominated the first stanza, and when Kevin Nolan calmly pushed an 18-yard, right footed shot into the right side of Robert Green's net, he sent the Hammers into intermission with a new wound. When the claret and blue return from the locker room, they'll be chasing three goals.
Newcastle Vs. West Ham: Kevin Nolan Scores Before Half, This Match Is Over
The goal’s movement started with a ball played from the right flank, through West Ham’s area, rolling to Jonas Gutierrez on the left. The Argentine picked up the ball and was head-up with Tal Ben Haim. Beating him to the line, Gutierrez was able to send a cross into the six, a ball that was kicked up-field by James Tompkins. The attempted clearance went straight to Kevin Nolan who, standing at the edge of the area, put a composed shot toward the far post, into Green’s goal.
The three goal lead almost assures Newcastle will move to 28 points and eighth place. For West Ham and Avram Grant, a manager whose hot seat has only mildly cooled after going four unbeaten, a strong second half showing is necessary if louder doubts are going to be suppressed.
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