Newcastle too hot for Hammers

LuaLua and Robert both got on the scoresheet

Newcastle 3-1 West Ham
 E-mail your reaction to Football Talk
 Photo Gallery: See this story in pictures

Newcastle's fans will be dreaming of great things next term after the team signed off at St James's Park this season with a fine win.

West Ham had started much the better with Freddie Kanoute linking well with Jermain Defoe, who gave the Hammers the lead after 20 minutes.

But Alan Shearer equalised shortly before the break, and goals from Lomana LuaLua and Laurent Robert gave Newcastle the points as they dominated the second half.

Having already clinched fourth place and Champions League football next season, Newcastle seemed a little distracted and West Ham dominated the first half.

  Key moments

20 mins Defoe puts West Ham ahead from Kanoute's flick

41 mins Shearer equalises after West Ham's offside trap breaks down

53 mins LuaLua reacts quickest to tap in as James saves from Robert

66 mins Robert taps in after his lob comes back off the woodwork

Defoe had already gone close when Kanoute headed wide when well placed after 19 minutes.

A West Ham goal was on the cards, and just a minute later Defoe volleyed home after latching on to a Kanoute knockdown.

Gary Speed should have equalised soon after, but he snatched at his shot when clear in front of goal.

And West Ham maintained their dominance with Steve Lomas going close with a drive, and Kanoute lifting a shot just over the bar after a nice interchange with Joe Cole.

But Newcastle made West Ham pay for their misses as Alan Shearer equalised just before the break.

West Ham were made to pay for missed chances

Tomas Repka let the Newcastle hit-man go claiming offside, but Shearer strode through and tucked the ball past David James.

From that point on Newcastle did not look back, and 12 minutes into the second half they were in front.

Laurent Robert fired in a 25-yard shot after a mix-up between James and Repka, and Lomana LuaLua slid the ball home after it rebounded off the keeper.

Dyer twice and Robert went close as Newcastle poured forward, before Robert put the home side further ahead.

Solano played the Frenchman in with a beautiful pass and Robert lifted his ball over James and onto the post.

The ball came back off the woodwork, and Robert slotted the rebound home.

Newcastle could have added to their tally after that, but West Ham will feel they should have put a stranglehold on the game in the first half.

---

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O'Brien (Distin 45), Dabizas, Bernard, Solano, Dyer (Jenas 83), Speed, Robert, LuaLua (Cort 83), Shearer.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Kerr. Booked: Distin.

West Ham: James, Repka, Dailly, Pearce, Labant (Garcia 82), Sinclair (Winterburn 71), Carrick, Lomas, Cole, Kanoute, Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Hislop, Potts, Iriekpen. Booked: Pearce, Kanoute.