Daily WHUFC News - 17th January 2016

Newcastle United 2 West Ham United 1

Barclays Premier League, St James' Park, Saturday 16 January 2016, 3pm

Two early goals caught West Ham United cold at a freezing St James' Park as
Newcastle United condemned the Hammers to their first Barclays Premier
League defeat in nine matches. Ayoze Perez and Georgino Wijnaldum netted for
the Magpies within the opening 15 minutes to leave Slaven Bilic's side with
a mountain to climb. Nikica Jelavic's first league goal in Claret and Blue
reduced the arrears just after half-time, but despite an improved second
half showing, the Hammers could not grab an equaliser. Ultimately, it was
the slow start which gave West Ham too much to do in a game Newcastle were
clearly desperate to win, seeing as they kicked-off in the Premier League
relegation zone. Expectations on the Hammers side were high after four
straight wins in all competitions and a record-equalling eight-game unbeaten
Premier League run, but all good things have to come to an end sometime.
Newcastle tore out of the blocks and were ahead within six minutes. Spaniard
Perez had already been denied by Adrian once and he made no mistake with his
second chance, finishing superbly into the bottom right-hand corner after a
slick build-up involving new boy Jonjo Shelvey and Moussa Sissoko. Adrian
then tipped Aleksandr Mitrovic's drive over the top, but it would not be
long before the Magpies flew further into the lead. Former West Ham
schoolboy Shelvey was the architect with an accurate diagonal pass for
Janmaat, whose first touch took him past Aaron Cresswell and into the clear.
The Dutchman looked up and crossed low for fellow countryman Wijnaldum to
thump high into the net from eight yards out. Two goals to the good, the
hosts continued to dominate as West Ham struggled to maintain possession of
the football without the physical presence of a Carroll, Jelavic or Sakho in
the forward areas. Adrian saved from Mitrovic, before James Collins stooped
to head Paul Dummett's shot away from goal. In between, Enner Valencia
headed wide, before seeing another effort squirm past the post, but not
before he had been flagged for being offside from a Dimitri Payet free-kick.
West Ham finally enjoyed some sustained pressure as half-time approached,
with Pedro Obiang's superb first-time pass picking out Cheikhou Kouyate, but
the Senegal midfielder was denied by Rob Elliot's parry.

Bilic shuffled his pack at half-time, replacing defensive midfielder Obiang
with striker Jelavic, and within four minutes the change in personnel reaped
its reward. Centre-half Chancel Mbemba was the culprit, playing a lazy back
pass that left Elliot with no chance as the Croatian forward took
possession, rounded the goalkeeper and finished with a calmness you would
expect from such an experienced international. The home side were rattled,
and Steve McClaren changed his formation to a 3-5-2 to stem the Claret and
Blue tide. With the visiting fans roaring the Hammers on, West Ham continued
to carry a threat, but it was the hosts who continued to create the clearer
chances. Wijnaldum sent a shot wide before Adrian twice saved from Mitrovic,
while Collins and Cresswell both put their bodies on the line to make vital
blocks. Bilic threw on the fit-again Victor Moses and the Nigerian looked
lively on his return, but still West Ham could not force a clear chance to
level. Instead, Adrian again had to be at his best to deny Mitrovic the goal
his performance probably deserved.
The Spaniard endured a busy afternoon and was again in the right place to
stop a long-range effort from debutant Shelvey, who was urged to shoot by
the Toon Army every time he got near the West Ham penalty area. Into the
final few minutes and West Ham created the chance they craved, but when
Jelavic crossed for Kouyate, the No8's powerful downward header was blocked
by the legs of Elliot. Moses got to the ball first, but his penalty claims
for a foul were waved away by referee Neil Swarbrick. Mitrovic was denied
again, Jelavic fired a volley narrowly over the top, Colback dragged low and
wide, Adrian saved from the game Mitrovic and finally Shelvey curled another
effort off-target as the game finished with a flurry of action in both
penalty areas, but it was Newcastle who ultimately won the day.

Newcastle United: Elliott, Janmaat, Coloccini (c), Dummett (Saivet 57),
Mbemba, Colback, Shelvey, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Perez (Gouffran 80), Mitrovic
(Lascelles 90+5)
Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Aarons, Riviere, Toney

Goals: Perez 6, Wijnaldum 15

West Ham United: Adrian, Tomkins (Jenkinson 75), Collins, Ogbonna,
Cresswell, Obiang (Jelavic 46), Noble (c), Kouyate, Antonio (Moses 70),
Payet, Valencia
Subs not used: Randolph (GK), Song, Cullen, Reid

Goal: Jelavic 49
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 50,031

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Bilic bemoans slow start
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic bemoaned West Ham United's slow start at St James' Park on
Saturday, as two Newcastle United goals inside the opening 15 minutes ended
the Hammers' eight-match unbeaten Barclays Premier League run. Fresh from
Tuesday's emphatic win at Bournemouth, Bilic's side were caught cold in the
north east. After just six minutes, Moussa Sissoko's deft lay-off invited
Ayoze Perez to shoot and the Spaniard promptly curled home with precision
from 20 yards. Then, Daryl Janmaat skipped past Aaron Cresswell and squared
for Georginio Wijnaldum to thump home from point-blank range. Though
half-time substitute Nikica Jelavic profited from Chancel Mbemba's
ill-judged backpass to halve the deficit in the 49th minute, West Ham were
ultimately unable to produce an equaliser, leaving Bilic to rue a costly
first-half display.

He told West Ham TV: "For West Ham it was a game of two halves. We started
badly, to be fair, and very soon they were two up and we were in a kind of
shock. It was then hard to stop them because they started to play with
confidence and belief in the quality that they always had. "We couldn't
match it and they were much better in the first half. We needed half time to
get back in shape and the condition that is required when you play in the
Premier League."

The Hammers were an altogether different proposition after the break and,
following Jelavic's opportunistic strike, might have snatched a point late
on, as Rob Elliot repelled Cheikhou Kouyate's downward header. But, all in
all, Bilic conceded that Steve McClaren's men were worthy of all three
points. "The second half was much better from us, we scored a goal and then
we had a few chances and at the end we had a great chance to equalise."We
have to be fair and say they also had a few chances on the counter attack
but we took that risk and unfortunately we didn't score. "We have to be fair
and realistically say that they were better on the day and they deserved to
beat us. Unfortunately, it's the end of the positive run and now we have to
come back in shape and prepare for our next game."

It is not the first time this season that the Hammers have had to recover
from a disappointing first-half showing and Bilic was at a loss to explain
his side's difficulty in getting going."We have had a few first halves like
this, without any particular reason," he confirmed. "We knew that we were
playing against a good team that is underachieving, at a great stadium and
with really great fans.
"Simply, it's very difficult to come back. If you're one down in the Premier
League, you have to open up and that leaves them space to score another goal
or to create chances. And it's very hard to come back after you're 2-0 down.
"But one goal can change everything. We scored at a good time, so there was
enough time. We took risks and from those risks we created a few chances. We
had a great chance at the end of the game. "Overall, I told the players, if
you play like this in the first half and you get punished with two goals, it
requires a small miracle to come back and it doesn't happen very often. We
have to start the game like we started the second half."

Though the unbeaten run is over, Bilic insists there is still plenty to
smile about, not least the Hammers' spirited second-half response and the
prospect of a showdown with Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground next
weekend. "The positive thing is that we came back, in terms of character, in
terms of turning the game a little bit around," he added. We're going to
stay positive and we're going to try to eliminate those things that were not
good on Saturday. We have a week in front of us and we have a great game to
look forward to."

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Newcastle 2 West Ham 1
16 January 2016
Last updated at 17:54
By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport

Jonjo Shelvey made an impressive debut for Newcastle as he helped his side
move out of the relegation zone with a win over West Ham.
Shelvey had a hand in both goals as Ayoze Perez curled in a low shot before
Georginio Wijnaldum side-footed in from six yards to make it 2-0. A stray
backpass by Chancel Mbemba let Nikica Jelavic score for the Hammers.
Newcastle squandered a number of chances but held on for a first win in six
league games. Magpies striker Aleksandar Mitrovic produced a hard-working
performance but was denied by Hammers keeper Adrian three times. Missed
opportunities almost cost the home side, but keeper Rob Elliot kept out a
90th-minute Cheikhou Kouyate header with his knee.
Very good. The 23-year-old midfielder, signed for £12m from Swansea, showed
the kind of passing, creativity and energy which helped him break into the
England squad earlier this season. With just six minutes on the clock,
Shelvey found Wijnaldum, who laid the ball off for Perez to open the
scoring. The new signing then helped set up his side's second with a raking
60-yard ball to Daryl Janmaat, who crossed for Wijnaldum to score his ninth
Magpies goal of the season. Victory moved Newcastle out of the relegation
zone at the expense of Swansea, where Shelvey said he had been "hung out to
dry". "I've enjoyed every minute I've been up here," said Shelvey. "It's
nice to get out there and show what I am about. "It's not about me. It is
about the team. We are out of the relegation zone and it's onwards and
upwards from here. "I'm very shocked this team is in and around the
relegation places. Normally it is hard coming into a new team and slotting
straight in, but credit to the players and staff here."

McClaren finally beats Bilic
Steve McClaren was cruelly dubbed the 'wally with the brolly' when his
England side were beaten by a Croatia team managed by Slaven Bilic in 2007.
That defeat ended England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008, and McClaren
duly lost his job. Bilic also came out on top when the Hammers won the
reverse fixture earlier this season, but McClaren deservedly emerged
victorious this time. The visitors were overwhelmed in the first half and,
despite improving after the break, would have been beaten more convincingly
had it not been for Adrian.

Man of the match - Jonjo Shelvey

'It shouldn't have been close'

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren: "They must have gone in at half-time
thinking 'wow, get in' because it was only 2-0. "Then we gifted them a goal,
but we didn't get nervous. We kept playing, we had chances that we didn't
take but defended well and saw the game through.
"Jonjo is a very, very good player with real potential and it will suit him
playing in this team, a team of footballers." West Ham boss

Slaven Bilic: "They scored two goals very early and it gave them confidence,
but from the first minute of the game they were getting to second balls and
looked hungrier, sharper, quicker. "In the second half, we improved a lot.
In the end we could have nicked a point when we had a great chance to
equalise. But, overall, they deserved to beat us."

West Ham have won just one of their past 13 Premier League trips to St
James' Park (W1 D5 L7).
All nine of Wijnaldum's league goals this season have come at St James'
Park.
Perez has scored in four of Newcastle's five Premier League wins in 2015-16.
Newcastle attempted 23 shots (including blocked) in this match - their
highest tally in a single Premier League game this season and the most they
have had in a top-flight game since September 2014.
Jelavic scored his first Premier League goal for West Ham and his first in
the competition since February 2015.

What next?

Newcastle are away at Watford on 23 January, while West Ham play host to
Manchester City on the same day.

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Mike Ashley faces £2.4 million bill after struggling Newcastle beat West Ham
- and here's why
18:48, 16 JAN 2016 UPDATED 18:56, 16 JAN 2016
BY MIRROR FOOTBALL
Mike Ashley offered a free coat worth £59.99 if the Magpies beat the Hammers
- so Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum goals cost their chairman dearly
The Mirror

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has been left with a £2.4 million bill
after the Magpies defeated West Ham United . Prior to the game, Ashley
stated that he would give away a free winter jacket worth £59.99 if
struggling Newcastle beat the Hammers. Against the odds, the Magpies beat a
so-far impressive West Ham 2-1 at St James Park, with goals from Ayoze Perez
and Georginio Wijnaldum. Immediately after the game, the Sports Direct
website put up a statement promising to make good on the offer to all 45,000
people who registered for the offer.
As snow hits Newcastle and the North, Ashley, who also owns Newcastle
United, set aside an amazing £2.4 million of freebie stock in case Steve
McClaren's side delivered three points. The offer of an Everlast super-warm
padded jacket was open to ANY fan on Sports Direct's Facebook page.Newcastle
owner Ashley originally vowed to give away the jackets if Newcastle had won
against Manchester United on Tuesday.
But a thrilling 3-3 draw meant fans were left out in the cold. Participants
who registered received a voucher that entitles them to the free Everlast
coat, which will be available from Sports Direct website subject to normal
delivery charges while stocks last.

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How we rated the Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Adrian: No chance with either goal and made some outstanding saves 7

Tomkins: Steady Eddie display again – made the position his own this season
7

Collins: Still performing great and overcame what looked like a nasty knock
7

Ogbonna: Very good performance again – Winston is finding life tough! 7

Cresswell: Spent most f the afternoon defending for a change – did ok 7

Noble: Sub standard and lost possession a couple of times which led to
dangerous situations 5

Kouyate: All action high energy stuff and but for a couple of great saves
would have bagged a brace 8

Obiang: Continues his strong form but taken off at the interval for the more
goal threatening Jelavic 7

Antonio: Usual high energy display but as elsewhere no end product 6

Payet: Off colour by his own very high standards and it showed across the
team 6

Valencia: He's Marmite – you do or you don't. Worked hard trying to make
things happen 6

Subs: Jenkinson Looked livlier thn he has done for some time 6

Jelavic Grabbed a goal – worked hard, no complaints 6

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Hammers transfer silly season in full swing
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

The silly season is now truly is full swing for West Ham this January
transfer window. The latest amusing link today is 'West Ham are ready to
make a move for Milan striker Mario Balotelli' from our friends over at the
Brentwood Gazette. The rumour has since been reprinted by the Daily Express.
It is the same Brentwood Gazette who today claimed West Ham are set to miss
out on Spurs winger Andros Townsend who instead favors a move to Newcastle.
They also said today that West Ham has fallen behind Watford and Crystal
Palace in the race to sign former Spurs and Arsenal striker Emmanuel
Adebayor. That old chestnut!

Finally today, that West Ham has joined Sunderland in the race to sign
Swansea winger Andre Ayew. It is the same publication that two days ago said
Hammers were set to make a move for QPR striker Austin after the latest
Carroll injury. Bilic himself ruled out any move for Austin the week before
and Southampton signed him today. We think you forgot to link us for a
return home for Carlos Tevez from Boca Juniors to the Hammers. We salute and
thank you Brentwood Gazette for keeping us amused during this rather quiet
and dull transfer window.

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Mauro Zarate exit looks inevitable
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Mauro Zarate was notable absent again from the 18 man squad that faced
Newcastle this afternoon. His exclusion came after Bilic claimed he should
be fit for the Newcastle match, suggesting he missed Bournemouth's game on
Tuesday evening due to cramp.

Slav told the assembled media earlier this week "On Zarate, he felt (pain)
before the Bournemouth game in training the day before he was shooting some
free kicks and all that then he felt a bit (of pain), but was just a kind of
cramp so he is also training today and should be fit for Saturday and that
is basically it"

Some have suggested this situation has all the hall marks of the infamous
Ravel Morrison groin injury situation last January when West Ham medical
staff struggled to find anything wrong with Mr Morrison.

Zarate's absence over the last two games has created much speculation he
could be outbound in this January transfer window and he could have played
his last game in a Claret and Blue shirt. We have been told that West Ham
are ready to allow Mauro Zarate to leave the club if an offer of around £3
million were to emerge out of Europe.

ClaretandHugh have been told whilst there have been no firm bids for the
Argentinian so far, the club is ready to listen to bids for him. Within
Zarate's 11 year career he has moved either permanently or on loan eight
times. A senior insider told ClaretandHugh: "There has been no official
approach from anywhere" that was quickly followed by the source adding: "It
wouldn't be a great surprise to be honest were we to get one later on in the
window. Should bids come in then we will certainly be ready to listen."

Malaga seem to be the front runners to make a bid after their owner, Sheikh
Abdullah Al Thani confirmed on Friday that Nordin Amrabat will leave the
club this month, with Watford his likely destination. This would free up
£6.7m in funds to allow a bid for Zarate.

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Sullivan complains about unfairness of fixtures
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Dave Sullivan Junior, eldest son of the West Ham chairman (pictured centre)
has highlighted the unfairness of playing two back to back away games within
such a short period of time at opposite ends of the country.

Posting on twitter the young Sullivan said "All away teams (as far as I
know) today had double away fixtures. If you look today, every away team
were haemorrhaging goals. Huge advantage for the teams who had double home
fixtures. West Ham had to travel to different ends of the country, not an
excuse but a serious amount of travelling. I think back to back away games
isn't bad if it's Saturday to Saturday but a 3/4 day window isn't enough"

West Ham had an away trip to South coast on Tuesday, a round trip of 290
miles on the motorway from the Boleyn Ground to Dean Court in Bournemouth.
Five days later the team travelled to St James Park a round trip of 560
miles to Newcastle. Eight hundred and fifty miles in five days!

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