A true story of survival, another goal in an incredible scoring streak and rampant home wins . . . when West Ham visit Newcastle, it’s very rarely short of drama.
The situation is a very different one today, with Eddie Howe's Magpies riding high at the top end of the Premier League, and David Moyes' Hammers just one point above the relegation places.
Here are five of the most memorable matches between the Magpies and the Hammers on Tyneside.
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April 17, 2021 - Newcastle United 3-2 West Ham United - Premier League
On-loan Joe Willock got back on the goal trail – and stayed on it for the rest of the season – as a five-goal thriller saw the Magpies move nine points clear of the Premier League relegation zone. Newcastle went ahead in bizarre fashion on 36 minutes when Allan Saint-Maximin forced a defensive mix-up which ended with Issa Diop diverting the ball into his own net.
Home fans had barely re-taken their seats before a second bookable offence for West Ham’s Craig Dawson saw West Ham reduced to 10 men, and Newcastle increased their agony when Joelinton’s fifth league goal of the season doubled thelead.
But the second half promised a stunning Hammers fight-back when Diop redeemed himself by heading past Martin Dubravka after 73 minutes and Jesse Lingard’s penalty levelled the game with 10 minutes to go. However, Willock – called off the bench by Steve Bruce – settled home nerves by heading home the winner just two minutes later.
From there, the Arsenal youngster scored five goals in the final six games of the season as United comfortably clinched survival.
May 24, 2015 - Newcastle United 2-0 West Ham United – Premier League
Jonas Gutierrez created two stories of survival with an 85th minute goal which sparked one of the most emotional moments seen at the modern St James’ Park. Newcastle went into the season’s final day knowing they would be relegated if they failed to win and Hull City beat Manchester United.
A goalless first half didn’t calm Magpie nerves, especially with it being goalless at the KC Stadium as well. But 10 minutes after the break, Gutierrez dug out a cross which Moussa Sissoko headed home which brought blessed relief. However, the real show-stopper was still to come.
With five minutes left, Gutierrez picked up the ball 30 yards out, strode forward and fired low into the bottom right-hand corner to spark pandemonium. Two months on from returning to action after beating testicular cancer, the Argentine went on his own lap of honour, ending with a celebration looking up at the directors’ box, aimed at owner Mike Ashley, who had forced caretaker manager John Carver to inform Gutierrez and teammate Ryan Taylor over the phone that they were being released by the club.
January 5, 2011 – Newcastle 5-0 West Ham – Premier League
Leon Best hit a hat-trick on his first start for Newcastle as West Ham tumbled to the bottom of the Premier League and piled the pressure on manager Avram Grant. But while Best took home the match ball, Joey Barton was the true hero of a victory which took Newcastle up to eighth in the table, and within three points behind high-flying Sunderland.
Having been teed up by Barton for his 18th-minute opener, Best then combined with Peter Lovenkrands to double the lead after 39 minutes. Kevin Nolan made the game safe just before half-time by pouncing on a James Tomkins error, before setting up Best for his third goal on the hour.
Barton’s glorious assist set up Lovenkrands to make it 5-0 with 27 minutes still on the clock, but Nile Ranger spared the Hammers further misery by missing a sitter for 6-0.
September 23, 2007 - Newcastle 3-1 West Ham – Premier League
Mark Viduka struck at the double to send the Magpies up to sixth in the Premier League. But the victory came at a price. Viduka headed home a Charles N’Zogbia cross to give the Magpies an early lead, only for Dean Ashton to equalise just past the half-hour mark.
Viduka struck again – from another N’Zogbia assists – just before half-time, and West Ham were made to pay for missed chances when N’Zogbia tapped home a third goal himself with just over a quarter of an hour remaining. But Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce was grim-faced afterwards, confirming that Viduka’s strike partner Michael Owen faced another lay-off with the groin strain which saw him limp off early in the second half.
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