Newcastle United to battle Everton for £14m-rated exciting La Liga full-back, Man City receive boost in £80m star chase
Steve Bruce will be hoping to get the new 2020-21 campaign off to a positive start on the road with £20million striker Callum Wilson one of three new signings made this week in the build-up to the opening game.
Miles Starforth and Liam Kennedy will be bringing you the best coverage from the game via our live blog plus player ratings, analysis and reaction.
“Strrrrrriiiiike! Great finish by Hendrick, who has had a really good game I have to say. To a man, very impressive and much deserving of the 2-0 lead.”
GRAEME BELL: “How good is it to have a goal poacher, a proper striker? Hendrick does really well, who by the way, I’ve been impressed with so far… Never stops scrapping.”
DAVE BLACK: « A real poachers effort from Wilson, just being able to anticipate what might happen in the penalty area can be worth an extra 5-10 goals a season. We’ve started the second half very well indeed. »
TOON FOR CHANGE: “Natural poacher’s instinct is exactly what we have been missing and not least what Wilson deserves. Excellent debut.”
DAVE BLACK: “We’ve had the most of the play but the big chances are falling to West Ham. We’re lucky not to be behind in that respect but I’m quite optimistic there are goals here for us. Wilson looks a livewire up top but I’m not sure what Hendrick offers as a wide player.”
GRAEME BELL: “Weirdly, despite West Ham hitting the bar twice… We’ve just edged it.
Carroll has bullied West Ham and Wilson has had a few promising openings. We look a lot better in possession. Promising so far but I feel we need a different approach, perhaps Miggy or Fraser to come off the bench early in the second half – more pace.”
TOON FOR CHANGE: “Team feels lopsided with ASM/Lewis and Hendricks/Manquillo. Would like to see Almiron and Fraser in the second half and maybe a change in formation to a 4231?”
MILES STARFORTH: “Positive half from a dominant Newcastle. They’ve been combative and energetic, and created a series of chances. Wilson and Lewis have been lively, while Saint-Maximin’s been a threat whenever he’s had the ball. That said, Newcastle haven’t yet had a shot on target.”
Javier Manquillo – Done most of his work going backwards, very little chance to get forward – 6
Jamaal Lascelles – Beaten in the air too easily and almost gifted the opposition an opener with a stride out of the backline – 5
Federico Fernandez – Not all that much to do, but when called upon has delivered – 6
Jamal Lewis – Looks excellent going forward. A lot has come down his side for West Ham though – 6
Jeff Hendrick – Unflashy work from the Irishman but much-needed graft all the same – 6
Jonjo Shelvey – Little opportunity bar the opening 20 to really pull the strings – 6
Allan Saint-Maximin – Not tracking back but did we expect that? Some magic in an attacking sense, but a little too deep – 6
Andy Carroll – Has won his duels but lucky to still be on the park in some ways after an elbow early doors – 7
Callum Wilson – Mobile, quick and an eye for goal – he looks a sensation up top – 7
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
