Newcastle United ended a nine-game winless run by securing a 3-2 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Marko Arnautovic and Henri Saivet scored for their respective teams inside the first 10 minutes, while Mohamed Diame and Christian Atsu nabbed two more goals for the Magpies.
In the midst of the second half, Andre Ayew missed a penalty before redeeming himself with a goal, but it was not enough to launch a comeback.
As a result of the game, Newcastle move out of the relegation zone to 15th, while West Ham drop to 17th and one point above the bottom three.
Relive the game with Sports Mole's text commentary.
With the festive schedule now underway, the games are coming thick and fast in the Premier League. This period of the season tends to give an indication as to where clubs will finish at the end of the campaign. For West Ham and Newcastle, surviving in the top flight is the main priority.
Before we delve deeper into this match-up, let's bring you the lineups for both sides...
WEST HAM XI: Adrian; Masuaku, Ogbonna, Reid, Zabaleta; Cresswell, Kouyate, Obiang; Ayew, Arnautovic, Antonio
NEWCASTLE XI: Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo; Atsu, Saivet, Diame, Ritchie; Gayle, Joselu
So, both managers have made five changes to their starting XIs this afternoon. Moyes was expected to tinker with his team following West Ham's midweek EFL Cup defeat to Arsenal. Goalkeeper Adrian returns to the fold in place of Joe Hart, while Pablo Zabaleta reclaims his place at the back.
Cheikhou Kouyate is fit enough to start, while Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio have been given the nod. Manuel Lanzini misses this afternoon's game due to a ban, which was issued retrospectively for diving.
As for Newcastle, Benitez has swapped Florian Lejeune for Ciaran Clark in defence, while Jacob Murphy, Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino all drop out. In comes Mohamed Diame, Henri Soviet and Matt Ritchie. Ayoze Perez drops to the bench to make way for Dwight Gayle.
As it stands, the Hammers have a two-point advantage over the bottom three, but there is an air of confidence surrounding the team due to a three-game unbeaten run. Questions were raised when Moyes was appointed, mainly because of his previous failings at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland.
When the Scotsman replaced Slaven Bilic, things did not exactly go to plan as the team lost to Watford, drew with Leicester City and suffered a humiliatingly heavy 4-0 defeat to Moyes's former club Everton.
The team's performance began to improve when they faced Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and found the back of the net thanks to Angelo Ogbonna. In the end, the East London outfit lost 2-1, but there were reasons for optimism.
In the following game, Moyes managed to guide West Ham to a shock 1-0 win over Chelsea and the team continued their positive run by holding Arsenal to a goalless draw. The positive displays kept on coming when they faced Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium and came away with a 3-0 triumph.
A midweek disappointment was suffered by the Hammers when they were knocked out of the EFL Cup at the quarter-final stage by Arsenal. Moyes's men had already shown that they were a match for the Gunners, but at the Emirates, effort was lacking.
Numerous changes were made to the first XI and they were unable to find the breakthrough in a scrappy game that ended with Arsenal making it into the semi-finals courtesy of a single goal from Danny Welbeck.
The fans will be hoping that West Ham are back on form this afternoon, particularly as they have a run of winnable fixtures over the Christmas break, including games against Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion.
If the team can get decent results from the next three matches, then they will be well positioned heading into a tough showdown against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.
The perception of Moyes has seemingly changed for some of the West Ham following. Initially there was a negative reaction to the manager's appointment, but recent results and the boldness to drop Javier Hernandez in favour of an attacking lineup that makes Marko Arnautovic the focal point.
The Scotsman may have raised some eyebrows, though, when he recently claimed that he could manage any club in the world. Some fans may beg to differ given that he has struggled since leaving Everton in 2013. Moyes has not lasted more than a year in jobs at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland.
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DID YOU KNOW? West Ham have a chance of winning consecutive league games for the first time since January. Also, if the club keep a clean sheet, it will be the first time since February 2014 that the Hammers have gone four Premier League contests without conceding a goal.
As for Newcastle, despite a lacklustre summer transfer window, the Magpies had a decent early run in the league, picking up 14 points from a possible 27. The North-East outfit spent that time inside the top 10, but they have since dropped down the rankings.
Benitez's men have lost eight of their last nine top-flight matches and in that spell have earned just one point, which leaves them third from bottom in the table, one point from safety after 18 games.
The lull in form has come at the worst possible time considering that the team will play four games over the next nine days, and one of those meetings will be against league leaders Manchester City, who are so far unbeaten in the top flight this season.
One of Newcastle's main problems is that they have struggled for goals. In 18 matches, the team have found the back of the net on just 16 occasions. Joselu and Dwight Gayle are failing to impress, while Aleksandar Mitrovic has been left out in the cold.
At the other end of the field, the team have kept just three clean sheets and conceded 27 goals. Only Stoke City have recorded fewer shutouts than the Magpies. The results have been less than impressive, but the focus seems to be on matters away from the field.
Club owner Mike Ashley is currently in talks with investors regarding a takeover. Widespread reports have claimed that Amanda Staveley-led group PCP Partners have tabled a bid worth around £300m, which could dramatically change the direction of the North-East outfit.
The January transfer window could be crucial for Newcastle's relegation battle, with the club being linked mainly to strikers and left-sided players. As mentioned, the team's current options are failing to strike, while left-back has also been an issue due Paul Dummett's spell on the sidelines with injury.
STATS! Disappointing reading for the Magpies as they could lose five consecutive games for the first time since May 2015 and they would also equal the club record of 12 defeats after 19 matches in the top division - the 1977-78 season which eventually ended in Newcastle's relegation.
If the club suffer another unwanted result, they are in danger of being in the relegation zone on Christmas Day, which would mark the first time ever in the club's history.
A positive statistic, though, relates to the manager, who is unbeaten in his last nine Premier League games against Moyes having won seven and drawn two. Benitez also does well against West Ham having secured 10 victories in 13 fixtures in the division.
HEAD TO HEAD: These two clubs have met many times before - 99 to be exact! Newcastle are the ones who are in front with 41 victories. West Ham have secured wins in 33 contests, while 25 have ended in draws. In 10 home matches, the Hammers have won just three, but two of those triumphs came in their last two contests in East London.
PREDICTION: At the moment, West Ham are favourites to pick up all three points due to Newcastle's form. Moyes's side will be full of confidence due to their three-game unbeaten run, but Newcastle are desperate for all three points. Games of this nature can spring up surprises, but if the hosts have a good game plan then they should come away with a victory. Let's go for a 2-1 win.
Right, we are a matter of minutes away from kickoff now! Both sets of players have made their way out onto the pitch at the London Stadium.
KICKOFF! The whistle blows and we are underway at the London Stadium! Who will kick off their festive campaign with points? Let's find out!
West Ham have an early chance to put pressure on Newcastle's goal as they win an early corner off Yedlin, despite replays showing that the ball may have come off him.
The ball is whipped in from the flag by Cresswell, but the whistle blows as Lee Mason notices a foul in the box.
At the other end, Diame delivers a cross into the box and almost gets some luck when Adrian collects the ball in the air. The keeper's legs are behind the line, but thankfully for the Hammers, his hands were not.
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-0 NEWCASTLE (ARNAUTOVIC)
What a turnaround Arnautovic has made in the last few games! The Hammers forward charges down the field after Saviet gives the ball away and then manages to send it past the goalkeeper.
Under Moyes, Arnautovic is performing well having netted three goals in his last four league games. The Austrian has been given a more prominent role in attack in this new system.
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-1 NEWCASTLE (SAIVET)
Well, well, well! Saivet was at fault for giving the ball away in the build up to West Ham's first goal, but he has made amends! The visitors are awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal. Saivet takes the set piece and ends up nestling the ball into the back of the net after Adrian got a slight touch. He should have done better to keep it out.
Not even a quarter of the way through and we already have two goals! Both of them were the only attempts we have seen so far.
The tempo has slowed down a little bit since Newcastle found the equaliser, though it is the away side who are looking more confident on the ball, as it stands.
Both teams seem to have settled into the game now, but the home side are the ones defending at the moment, packing five men across the back in the hope of nullifying Newcastle's attack.
OFF THE BAR! Great opportunity for the Magpies to take the lead! Yedlin finds some space before delivering a low cross towards the near post for Gayle, who side foots from close range and ends up smashing the ball from close range.
Benitez will be desperate for Newcastle to gain all three points this afternoon because if they don't, they could be in the relegation zone for the first time on Christmas Day.
Yedlin and Ritchie have linked up well for Newcastle down the right-hand side. The latter has been criticised for a lack of form this season, but at the moment he is finding space.
Joselu requires treatment after a clash of heads with Kouyate, but the Newcastle forward seems well enough to continue.
CHANCE! Almost another goal for West Ham, but its wasted. Cresswell sends a decent delivery into the area to find Antonio, but the versatile player heads over the crossbar.
Things have slowed down a lot in the last few minutes, with neither side creating much moving forward. The quality of the game has lessened as well, with more challenges creeping in.
West Ham are now on the frontfoot and at every opportunity are trying to feed in Arnautovic, who is committing runs in behind, but the final touch is lacking at the moment.
OFF THE POST! Another attempt is denied by the woodwork! Ritchie gets on the end of a pass from Gayle and cuts inside before letting one fly. The ball is on its way to curling into the top corner, but it bounces off the post instead.
CHANCE! It's West Ham's turn this time! Arnautovic turns provider as he sends a cross into the danger area to find Antonio, who tries to a direct a header into the top corner, but the ball drops wide.
What was a routine catch from Elliot almost ended in a West Ham chance. The Newcastle goalkeeper catches a cross and then drops the ball, but luckily for him, it lands in front of a teammate who clears the danger.
CHANCE! At the other end, Ritchie is involved again as he sends the ball across the area to find Gayle, who shoots from 10 yards out, but his attempt goes over the bar.
Lanzini's absence is really being felt for West Ham. The team are lacking creativity in the middle of the park, and while they have had some decent chances, it is Newcastle who look the more likely to score at the moment.
Some pressure now from the Hammers as Cresswell delivers from the corner and Newcastle fail to clear their lines initially. The ball ends up at the feet of Obiang, who whips in a cross and the Magpies get it away.
Worrying sight for West Ham fans as Reid calls over the medical team due to a problem with his leg. With two minutes added on, the defender will aim to see out the first half.
HALF-TIME: WEST HAM 1-1 NEWCASTLE
The referee blows the whistle and both teams head back to the dressing rooms with a goal each. A fast start to the game resulted in two goals inside the opening 10 minutes. Marko Arnautovic managed to strike in the sixth minute as the Hammers star continued his rise under Moyes.
West Ham were not celebrating for long, though, as Henri Saivet scored from a 30-yard free kick to equalise for Newcastle. The midfielder was at fault for the first goal as he gave the ball away in the middle of the park, but he more than made amends. Questions were raised about Adrian, though, as the West Ham goalkeeper should have done better to stop the goal.
As the game progressed, the tempo slowed down and neither side dominated. West Ham have seen plenty of the ball, but Newcastle have had more chances to nudge in front and had it not been the woodwork, Benitez's side could be leading. For both sides, that final touch has been lacking.
RESTART! We're back underway at London Stadium! Will there be a winner this afternoon? We'll find out in the next 45 minutes!
The hosts have come out with an attacking threat as Masuaku gets in position to deliver a teasing cross into the box, but Clark spots it first and clears.
Newcastle are seeing more of the ball now and they try to find a way through with crosses into the danger area. At the moment, West Ham are comfortably clearing the danger and protecting Adrian.
CHANCE! Arnautovic shows his strength by holding off two Newcastle defenders on the edge of the box. The forward take a step before trying to curl the ball past the keeper, but it goes wide by inches.
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-2 NEWCASTLE (DIAME)
Newcastle have the lead! Atsu nutmegs Zabaleta before sending the ball across to Diame, who makes no mistake and hammers it past the keeper and into the top corner.
PENALTY TO WEST HAM!
Massive chance for West Ham to draw level as they are awarded a penalty! Clark brings down Antonio, despite the challenge looking as though it was outside the area. Referee gives it.
SAVE! Ayew lines up to take the spot kick and Elliot goes the right way! The Newcastle shot-stopper ends up pushing the ball clear.
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WEST HAM SUB: Moyes makes the first change of the costs as Carroll comes on for Antonio.
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-3 NEWCASTLE (ATSU)
Newcastle are on course to end their dismal run! Benitez's side have extended their lead thanks to Atsu. The visitors launch a counter attack from a West Ham corner. After Atsu collects the ball from Diame, he plays a one-two with Joselu before slotting it home.
With their advantage, it looks as though the Magpies will sit back and try to ride it out. West Ham are on the front foot now and they have time to perform a turnaround.
BOOKING! The first caution has been made, with Atsu being punished for a challenge on Obiang.
GOAL! WEST HAM 2-3 NEWCASTLE (AYEW)
Is a comeback on the cards?! West Ham pull a goal back thanks to Ayew, who hammers it home off the rebound after Carroll's header from a corner kick is punched back into the field of play by Elliot.
These are going to be some very nervy 20 minutes or so for Newcastle. Plenty of time for more goals!
CHANCE! Ritchie gets some time on the ball and goes for glory with a long-distance shot, but it fails to trouble Adrian and the ball drops wide.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Benitez switches personnel in his attack by bringing on Perez for Gayle.
BOOKING! Kouyate goes into the referee's book due to a poor challenge on Perez, who has been on the pitch for a matter of minutes.
West Ham are aiming for Carroll every time they aim for the box, and it is understandable why! The powerful forward is causing problems against his former club, but right now, the hosts are still trailing.
Newcastle resort to time-wasting tactics as they take what seems like forever on a throw-in. The home crowd get on their backs though as they urge the Hammers to continue hunting for an equaliser.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Goalscorer Saivet makes way for Mbemba for the final seven minutes plus stoppage time.
West Ham earn a free kick and it's Cresswell who takes it, but the ball is comfortably plucked from the air by Elliot.
CHANCE! Carroll almost becomes the hero for West Ham as he unleashed a powerful shot after cheating it down, but it's blocked.
FOUR minutes added on!
NEWCASTLE SUB: No huge surprise here as the visitors try to run the clock down with their third and final change. Murphy comes on for Atsu.
West Ham receive a free kick on the halfway line and Adrian of all people comes up to take it! He aims for Carroll in the box but fails to find him.
Another free kick comes into the box for West Ham, but once again it comes to nothing.
FULL-TIME: WEST HAM 2-3 NEWCASTLE
Well, there we have it. Newcastle have ended a torturous nine-game winless run in the Premier League. Benitez's side were hanging on for dear life at the end, but they managed to get the result that they needed.
Marko Arnautovic opened the scoring for the Hammers, but their lead did not last long as Henri Saivet struck four minutes later to find the equaliser. After the half-time break, the Magpies extended their lead thanks to Mohamed Diame, who was playing against his former club.
Andre Ayew was given an opportunity to equalise for West Ham when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Ciaran Clark on Michail Antonio, but replays showed that the challenge was made outside the box.
In the end, justice was served when Rob Elliot saved the forward's attempt from the spot, and a few minutes later, the Hammers were dealt another blow when Christian Atsu gave Newcastle a 3-1 lead.
Ayew made amends by pulling a goal back at the other end, but David Moyes's side were unable to find that all-important goal despite all their efforts. Newcastle adopted time-wasting tactics and eventually saw out the game to take some much-needed points.
The result has taken Newcastle out of the relegation zone and given them a two-point advantage. As for West Ham, the club have dropped to 17th place and are just one point above the drop zone.
Thank you for joining Sports Mole's for coverage of the clash at the London Stadium. Keep an eye out for all the latest match reports and reaction from this afternoon's games. Until next time, goodbye!
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
