Welcome back, Premier League.
After a Saturday highlighted by Manchester United’s 5-1 beatdown of Leeds and Everton’s 3-1 second half comeback win over Southampton (and Christian Pulisic's goal), Sunday produced an instant classic between Newcastle United and West Ham at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle twice led (1-0 and 2-1), but West Ham produced three second half goals to triumph 4-2. After finishing just two points behind fourth-place Chelsea last campaign, the Hammers again look like a side that’ll challenge for Europe.
Newcastle, on the other hand, had experienced a hopeless preseason before the signing Joe Willock from Arsenal. $28 million for the midfield Alan Shearer seems like an excellent piece of business, and at this point you can pretty much guarantee that whatever decision Arsenal makes is the wrong one.
An incredible welcome back to St. James' Park.
Great to have you on board, @Joewillock! ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/a6z1Jyhqa9— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 15, 2021
But the 21-year-old Englishman wasn’t able to play today, so home fans turned their collective focus on maverick winger Allan Saint-Maximin. The 24-year-old’s last Premier League campaign wasn’t as good as his first, but the Frenchman also missed 13 games over the course of the season because of ankle, calf and groin injuries.
Healthy and playing in front of 52,000 adoring fans was always going to be a recipe for success, and Saint-Maximin’s assist — after twisting Declan Rice inside and outside and inside and outside and inside and outside — on Callum Wilson’s header in the fifth-minute was the winger at his very best.
But it took only 13 minutes for West Ham to issue a response through Aaron Cresswell. The Hammers played some excellent stuff while finishing sixth last season, and this is another great goal from David Moyes’ side.
After VAR review, this one COUNTS. West Ham are level! #MyPLMorning
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 15, 2021
However, Newcastle again got St. James’ Park rocking before halftime with a goal straight out of Liverpool’s playbook: a fullback to fullback connection between Matt Ritchie and Jacob Murphy.
The Newcastle supporter in me starting dreaming of European nights. Barcelona, we’re coming for you. But then the second half started and after only 21 minutes a 2-1 Newcastle advantage had transformed into a commanding 4-2 lead for West Ham.
Michail Antonio and Saïd Benrahma combined on another West Ham equalizer in the 53rd-minute.
EQUALIZER.
It's 2-2! #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/Z178F0A1VT— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 15, 2021
West Ham took the lead in the 63rd after Freddie Woodman — the hugely talented 24-year-old keeper making his EPL debut — denied Antonio from the spot, only for Tomáš Souček to pounce on the rebound.
West Ham have the lead for the first time.#MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/0SbcoFgu3w
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 15, 2021
Newcastle went on tilt, and Antonio added West Ham’s fourth just three minutes later.
Newcastle returns to action next Saturday against Aston Villa. West Ham hosts Leicester City on Monday night.
