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| John Carver celebrates with Jonas Gutierrez |
In nothing other than a ‘must win’ game for Newcastle,
something they haven’t done since February, they managed to scrape over the
line in the relegation decider in a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Moussa
Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez, meaning Premier League status was secured for next
season.
Going into the game knowing that a draw may not be enough if
Hull won, the emphasis was on Newcastle to attack from the off, against a West
Ham side that had only won 3 times in the last 22 games.
Fittingly, Newcastle started spritely and had a good chance
in the first minute through Emmanuel Riviere, but in keeping with his season he
fluffed his lines from close range on the angle. Probably not the player
Newcastle were hoping the ball would fall to considering he’s only scored once
in the League all season.
West Ham also started well dominating possession in the
early stages, but creating few chances. Manager Sam Allardyce arrived on the
day looking to send his former club down, a game that also saw Kevin Nolan
return to St James’ Park. Although the latter left the club under slightly better
circumstances.
The next big chance again fell to Riviere again but this
time a little more difficult, acrobatically missing with a scissor kick at the
near post following good work from Sissoko and Daryl Janmaat down the right.
The energy and desire expressed by the Newcastle players was
unparalleled with what has been shown and criticised the last few weeks, but
understandably nerves crept in as the breakthrough continue to elude them.
Most of West Ham’s threat was down the left through Aaron Cresswell
and Stuart Downing but on the whole offered little considering the amount of
possession they had.
As news continually filtered through that Hull were also
struggling to make the breakthrough they needed against Man United, the fans
continued to bite their nails in hope.
It looked like it just wouldn’t happen for Newcastle as
again Riviere the culprit for another missed chance in the 51st minute,
missing a sitter from four yards.
However the miss went unpunished as Sissoko finally put
Newcastle in front in the 54th minute and the euphoria was plain to
see around the ground as there was an eruption of noise and the relief was
evident across John Carver’s face.
West Ham continued to probe following conceding, looking to
spoil the day for Newcastle but that final pass just wasn’t good enough. The
constant threat however started to bring back the tension among the home fans
as they knew a West Ham goal and a Hull goal meant relegation.
It seemed destined that is would go to the wire as Vernon
Anita was sent through on the 83rd minute in a 4 on 1 situation, the
1 being Adrian the goalkeeper, but managed to fluff his lines when trying to square
the pass allowing Adrian to intercept to the fans disbelief.
However the release of tension finally left the ground as Gutierrez,
a hero following his return from testicular cancer, wrapped up the points and
Premier League football next season with a deflected 25 yard drive low into the
net, the celebrations that followed equalled the significance of the moment.
Newcastle survive. Relief for the Toon Army. A restructuring
of the club is necessary this summer which today’s game won’t cover up.
