Despite being under more pressure from the homeside and was a goal down in about 10 minutes of play, Newcastle United responded quickly and start to dominate the first-half, pushing the Hammers to a more defensive play.

In his first appearance for Newcastle in Premier League, Danny Simpson has shown that he was a little bit better in defensive play than the former player who play on his side, James Perch who was relegated to the bench.

Simpson not making too many attacking role on his territory today, but with the presence of Barton who was ordered to play on the right midfield, and Gutierrez who couple times switching to the right from left, Newcastle is slightly won the midfield area.

Although he’s still need to learn how to do more effective defensive play, I’m quite satisfied with his performance today. And when Hughton give him more games, I believe he can develop and added experiences to his play.

Another player that comes into my notebook is Cheick Tioté. He’s very good today as defensive-midfielder, but for couple of times he almost take my breath away while keeping the ball possession in the danger zone. Although, he won mostly all of the ball there, I hope he’s not playing like that too often against the better team.

Carroll also did very well too despite having a very tough week, he can manage his concentration and seems not too influenced by his court trial. He did manage the assist for Kevin Nolan’s goal, which is coming from one of Newcastle’s best move on this match.

In the second half, the game is down a bit in tempo, both team looking more in safety mode rather than trying to score more goals.

And, to kill the game off, it took another smooth movement from our right side, when Barton cross met Carroll’s head after cleverly get away from his marker.

In general, nice result and another good away performance. I hope the Lads can keep this type of play when we face another London side on the FA Carling Cup 4th round next midweek. Howay the Lads!!!

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The home side had an early goal from Mark Noble before Dean Ashton added their second in the midway of first-half. But, the relieving Toon gaffer would have to thanks his African squad members after Martins and Geremi get us back in action in the last 2 minutes of first-half.

I also consider we’re the lucky side too when Uriah Rennie refused to award a penalty for the home team when the ball hit Michael Owen on the hand.

“I would sooner be a lucky manager than a good one,” Keegan said. “For me, Alex Ferguson is a very lucky manager, but unfortunately not today.”

It looks like Keegan will have to think any other possible options for our next fixture at home against Chelsea. To be honest, starting from our last week game against the mackems, we have been less impressive if not bad performance. Yesterday, Harper’s distribution was so bad, and forced Keegan to had Fraser Forster warming up after 25 minutes.

The 33 years-old stopper, although not being superior in distributions, have a decent save when he deny Ashton’s rasping shot 10 minutes from the end, while a last-ditch save by Green from Martins ends the second-half with no further goals from both team.

“I have never handled a player quite like Martins,” Keegan said after the match when asked his opinion about Martins, “He does fantastic things and he is more of a team player now.”

A draw means we have lost a great chance to climb up above Spurs after they also only have a draw against the bottom rock team Bolton Wanderers.

West Ham United:
Robert Green, John Pantsil, George McCartney, Lucas Neill (c), James Tomkins, Julien Faubert, Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Bobby Zamora, Dean Ashton
Subs: Nobby Solano, James Walker, Carlton Cole, Hayden Mullins, Luis Boa Morte

Newcastle United FC:
Steve Harper, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique, David Edgar, Steven Taylor, Nicky Butt, Geremi, Joey Barton, Oba Martins, Michael Owen (c), Mark Viduka
Subs: Fraser Forster, Damien Duff, Lamine Diatta, Alan Smith, Andy Carroll

Referee: Uriah Rennie
Attendance: 34, 980

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