With 77 touches, 15 passes in the final third, 7 duels won, and 4 ball recoveries, this West Ham star delivered a brilliant all-round performance in the victory over Newcastle.

West Ham United finally brought an end to their long home winless run, claiming a much-needed 3–1 victory over Newcastle United — their first triumph under new manager Nuno Espírito Santo.

It had been an astonishing 248 days since the Hammers last celebrated a league win at the London Stadium, a drought so long that even Newcastle had picked up three points there more recently.

Some disillusioned fans were reportedly planning a post-match protest against the club’s ownership, but Nuno’s men delivered a spirited display that gave supporters genuine reason to cheer and stay until the final whistle.

Given that this was West Ham’s first home Premier League win in over eight months, the relief around the ground was palpable. Another defeat could have intensified pressure on Nuno’s relationship with the fanbase — but instead, his side provided a much-needed lift.

A Comeback Worth the Wait

The Hammers’ fightback was fuelled by a mix of determination and good fortune. After Jacob Murphy fired Newcastle ahead in the fourth minute, Lucas Paquetá levelled the score with a stunning strike. Then, a Sven Botman own goal turned the tide in West Ham’s favour before Tomáš Souček sealed the victory deep into stoppage time.

The 3–1 win marked West Ham’s first comeback success in 32 league games (D7, L25) — the last time they achieved the feat was in a 3–1 win over Luton Town at the end of the 2023–24 season.

Paquetá Back to His Brilliant Best

Paquetá was the standout performer, celebrating his 102nd club appearance with a dazzling display. His equaliser — his 15th goal for West Ham and 24th goal contribution since joining — underlined his class and importance to the team.

Despite constant speculation about his future, the 28-year-old played like a man fully committed to the cause. His first open-play goal since January came via a thunderous long-range strike that reignited West Ham’s belief.

Across the match, Paquetá was everywhere — recording 77 touches, 15 passes in the final third, winning seven duels, making three tackles, and recovering possession four times.

It was no surprise that Nuno kept him on for the full 90 minutes. His energy and influence embodied the spirit that West Ham will need if they are to climb the table.

The club now hopes Paquetá can sustain this level of performance throughout the season — reaffirming both his quality and commitment amid lingering rumours of a potential move, following last summer’s reported interest from Aston Villa.