Goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka propel West Ham to an important away victory, boosting morale and extending their gap above the relegation zone.

West Ham United delivered a composed and confident performance on Monday night, securing a vital 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in either half-handed manager Julen Lopetegui a much-needed morale-boosting win, helping to relieve mounting pressure on the Spanish coach.

The win sees the Hammers remain in 14th place in the Premier League, but they have now moved six points clear of the relegation zone, providing a significant cushion in the early stages of the season. For Lopetegui, this result is a much-needed step in the right direction after a series of frustrating results, with his team having been unable to find consistency in recent weeks.

After a disappointing goalless draw against Everton in their previous match, West Ham arrived in Newcastle with the weight of expectation on their shoulders. Despite the pressure, the team played with purpose and discipline, showcasing a strong team identity that had been missing in recent performances. “We played with an identity, and were able to overcome a very good team in a difficult stadium,” Lopetegui said after the match. “We’re happy for the players, the team, and most of all the fans, because more than 3,000 came here and have to go a lot of miles home. Now we look forward to the next challenge.”

West Ham’s first goal came in the 26th minute through midfielder Tomas Soucek, who capitalised on a defensive error from Newcastle to slot home calmly from inside the box. The visitors continued to control the game, limiting Newcastle’s attacking threats and stifling their momentum.

As the game progressed, West Ham’s second goal arrived in the 63rd minute, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka firing a powerful shot past Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope after a quick counterattack. The right-back’s goal was the product of a well-executed team move and put the game beyond Newcastle’s reach.

Newcastle, who have shown strong form this season, struggled to break down West Ham’s disciplined defence. Although the Magpies created some half-chances, they lacked the cutting edge to find a way past West Ham’s resilient backline.

For Lopetegui, the win is a crucial confidence booster, especially following a spell where West Ham were criticized for their inability to perform against the Premier League’s top sides. The Spanish coach had warned his players that they could not continue to use the congested fixture schedule as an excuse for underperforming, and his side responded in the perfect way.

With over 3,000 West Ham supporters making the long journey to Newcastle, Lopetegui was quick to acknowledge the importance of the fans’ unwavering support. “We know how much this victory means to our supporters,” he said. “They’ve been fantastic tonight, and this is for them.”

The victory moves West Ham further from the relegation zone and allows them to build some momentum as they look to climb up the Premier League table. The win is particularly important given the tough run of fixtures that lie ahead, and Lopetegui will be hoping that this result provides the foundation for a more consistent run of form.

For Newcastle, the defeat is a setback in what has been a mixed start to the season. The team struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to make the most of their home advantage. Manager Eddie Howe will need to regroup his squad ahead of their upcoming matches to ensure they don’t slip further down the table.