West Ham remain in relegation trouble as they surrender lead twice at Newcastle

West Ham remain in relegation trouble as they surrender lead twice at Newcastle
Football

West Ham missed the chance to move six points clear of the relegation zone as they blew a lead twice in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.

Michail Antonio opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he took advantage of a Jamaal Lascelles error to smash the ball past Martin Dubravka.

Shelvey rescued a point for Newcastle

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Shelvey rescued a point for Newcastle

Soucek folllowed up his goal against Chelsea in midweek with another at Newcastle

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Soucek folllowed up his goal against Chelsea in midweek with another at Newcastle

But his opener was cancelled out by Miguel Almiron in the 17th minute as he netted his second goal in as many games.

Tomas Soucek repeated Almiron’s feat when he volleyed in a Declan Rice header which came off the crossbar in the 65th minute.

But David Moyes was furious on the touchline as his side’s lead lasted just two minutes with Jonjo Shelvey, a former West Ham transfer target, slotting home from close-range.

Andriy Yarmolenko, who was the super sub in West Ham’s midweek win over Chelsea with a late goal, almost came up with the goods again.

However, the substitute’s fierce drive was beaten away by Dubravka late on.

It’s two goals in as many games for Antonio now

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It’s two goals in as many games for Antonio now

With chances limited throughout the game, the goals were scored in clinical fashion.

Jarrod Bowen, who registered two assists against Chelsea, swung in a low cross, which was not dealt with by Lascelles, who was punished by Antonio.

Newcastle replied with a slick move which saw Emil Krafth’s cross met by Almiron for his eighth goal of the season.

The second-half was starved of action before Soucek followed up his goal against Chelsea with another at St James’ Park.

Almiron levelled the match in the first-half

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Almiron levelled the match in the first-half

Bowen’s corner was empathically headed on to the crossbar by Rice, but Soucek was on hand to smartly volley in the rebound.

And the wait for a first away win in the league since December would go on for West Ham when Shelvey played a one-two with Dwight Gayle to calmly place the ball beyond Lukasz Fabianski.

West Ham are now four points clear of 18th-placed Aston Villa, who host newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Newcastle remain in 12th place with a top-10 finish in their sights.