However, West Ham continued to defend poorly, and their record of scoring and conceding in PL matches this season rose to 17 games when Willock poked in to draw Newcastle level in first-half stoppage time. In the second period, Newcastle looked far more eager to press for a winner in the Stratford rain, while the ‘Hammers’ appeared content to strike on the counter-attack. Willock’s curled effort from the edge of the area almost saw Newcastle record four consecutive PL wins for the first time since 2018, but it flashed narrowly wide of the West Ham goal instead. The ‘Irons’ did show more positivity as FT approached but, whilst Fornals went close late on when his shot was blocked, it would have been a winner David Moyes’ men didn’t deserve.
For the visitors, the draw is particularly impressive considering Allan Saint-Maximin’s absence. The Frenchman is often the talisman for Eddie Howe’s outfit, but the ‘Toon’ still battled to stretch their unbeaten run in the PL to six outings. Meanwhile, consecutive draws see West Ham’s Champions League qualification hopes continue to fade as their lack of squad depth takes its toll.
