WHAT WENT WRONG FOR NEWCASTLE AT WEST HAM? FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM A DESPERATE SHOW

NEWCASTLE United put in a dreadful performance as they were beaten 3-1 by struggling West Ham United at the London Stadium.

- By SEAN MCCORMICK

Despite Jacob Murphy's excellent finish firing the Magpies into a fourth minute lead, Eddie Howe's side’s lethargic display allowed a West Ham side who looked flat and devoid of confidence after winning just one of their opening nine matches back into the game.

Lucas Paqueta equalised after Nick Pope allowed his shot to squeeze through his hands at the near post before Sven Botman’s own goal meant Newcastle went in at halftime 2-1 down.

Howe made three changes at halftime as he looked to change the tide of the game but as much as they huffed and puffed in their search for an equaliser they lacked the creativity to find one.

And they were sucker-punched on the break in stoppage time as Tomas Soucek was first to the ball after Jarrod Bowen’s initial effort squirmed through Pope's legs.

Here are five things we learned from a disappointing Sunday afternoon in East London.

Shay Given disappointed

The former Newcastle goalkeeper was in the Sky Sports studio and he grimaced as he criticised Pope for West Ham's first goal.

But it wasn’t how he allowed the effort from Paqueta to squeeze past him that left him disappointed, but his decision to punch the initial cross from Crysencio Summerville rather than catching it.