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West Ham star says biggest challenge was overcoming ‘really tough’ atmosphere at Newcastle

3 years ago
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West Ham star Aaron Cresswell was in no doubt as to what had been the biggest challenge for the Hammers on Sunday at St James Park.

The defender saying that the atmosphere created by the Newcastle fans was ‘really tough’ for the visitors to overcome, something that was ramped up even further by the early Callum Wilson goal.

Aaron Cresswell though points to the character in this West Ham team now, the Hammers bouncing back from that fifth minute goal AND going behind for a second time just before the break.

West Ham came out and dominated the second half, scoring three goals to win the game as Newcastle badly faded.

Aaron Cresswell picks out Declan Rice for special mention, saying about the Hammers captain: ‘The way he leads and the way he plays, it’s fantastic to see’, as he helped inspire West Ham to victory.

It couldn’t be a bigger contrast when you compare Rice to Newcastle United captain on Sunday, Jonjo Shelvey. A really poor display and leadership qualities completely absent.

Aaron Cresswell speaking to official West Ham site:

“It was great to see fans back and certainly the 3,000 of ours sat up there in the skies created a fantastic atmosphere.

“It was a great day and a great performance from the lads.

“We’ve kind of picked up where we left off last season and to be fair the atmosphere today was really tough going into it.

“They scored early on but the team spirit we’ve got amongst us shone through and it was a great performance with some unbelievable attacking play.

“We know as soon as we get the ball, when we win it back we counter-attack and some of the play from the boys was fantastic and Michail’s goal summed us up and really showed what we’re about,

“On another day we could have scored more goals, but 4-2 in the first game of the season, happy days!

“I don’t score many, so the goal was a great bonus, but the main thing was the three points today.

“Our team performance was fantastic and what a way to start the season.

“Dec [lan Rice] is still only 22 and the way he leads and the way he plays, it’s fantastic to see. I saw Dec when he came onto the scene at 16 and what a player he’s turning out to be and I think he’s still got a lot more in his locker.

“We’ve got a fantastic team at the minute and great team spirit, so let’s keep it going.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 2 West Ham 4 – Sunday 15 August 2pm

Goals:

Newcastle:

Wilson 5, Murphy 40

West Ham:

Cresswell 18, Benrahma 53, Soucek 63, Antonio 66

Possession was West Ham 53% Newcastle 47%

Total shots were West Ham 18  Newcastle 17

Shots on target were West Ham 9 Newcastle 3

Corners were West Ham 6 Newcastle 7

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Newcastle United:

Woodman, Murphy, Krafth (Sean Longstaff 84), Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, Shelvey (Fraser 70), Hayden, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson (Joelinton 85)

Unused Subs:

Gillespie, Gayle, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis, Hendrick

Crowd: 50,673 (3,000 West Ham)

(Match report: I forced myself to relive yesterday – Please enjoy – Read HERE)

(Former top referee rules on this controversial Newcastle v West Ham incident – Read HERE)

(West Ham fans comments reacting to eventual domination and 4 goal Newcastle demolition job – Read HERE)

(Newcastle v West Ham player ratings results from NUFC fans – A true picture – Read HERE)

(3 Positives and 3 Negatives from Newcastle 2 West Ham 4 – Read HERE)

(Steve Bruce blames match officials for 4-2 home defeat to West Ham – read HERE)

(Newcastle 2 West Ham 4 – Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to Sunday’s demoralising defeat – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 2 West Ham 4 – It’s not how you start it’s how you finish – Read HERE)

(Mike Ashley refusal to invest at the back will cost Newcastle United dearly based on this – Read HERE)

(David Moyes has zero doubts – A ‘travesty’ if West Ham hadn’t beaten Newcastle United – Read HERE)

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