West Ham finally returned to winning ways on Sunday as they beat Newcastle United 3-1 at the London Stadium.

Jacob Murphy had opened the scoring for the visitors, before Lucas Paqueta scored and Aaron Wan-Bissaka forced Sven Botman’s own goal to put the Hammers in the lead.

Tomas Soucek sealed the victory in the final seconds when he slid in to tap home Jarrod Bowen‘s saved effort.

It was a dominant display from Nuno Espirito Santo‘s men, who finally looked like a side willing to fight for their place in the Premier League.

Nuno started Callum Wilson against Newcastle, with the Portuguese boss keen to mix up the team who had lost to Leeds United.

Lucas Paqueta stuns vs Newcastle United

Paqueta reportedly wants to leave West Ham in January, but the midfielder was not playing like a man who wants anything but to keep the Hammers in the Premier League.

He first hit the post with a brilliant free-kick, before finally getting his well-earned goal.

It was a superb strike from the edge of the box, too powerful and too accurate for Nick Pope to keep out at the near post.

And the midfielder never stopped working after that, constantly nipping in to win the ball back for West Ham, and showing for everything.

There has been plenty of discussion surrounding Paqueta this season, but the Brazilian would have convinced many of his commitment to West Ham with Saturday’s performance.

Freddie Potts takes his chance vs Newcastle

Freddie Potts impressed off the bench against Everton, but Nuno had been hesitant to give the youngster more than 30 minutes off the bench.

But the former Tottenham manager finally handed the midfielder his chance from the start against Newcastle, and was rewarded spectacularly.

Potts was an anchor in the midfield for West Ham, making an incredible four tackles and six clearances as he constantly worked to keep out Newcastle.

On the ball, the 22-year-old was composed, completing most of his passes and even creating chances for his teammates.

Combining with Mateus Fernandes, the pair brought all of the energy and drive that the Hammers have so often lacked in midfield this season.

Potts thought he had scored his first goal for the Irons when he smashed in from close range, but Soucek had been just offside in the build-up.

For all of West Ham’s woes this season, the solution staring them in the face all of this time may well have been one of their own.

West Ham player ratings vs Newcastle

Alphonse Areola – 8

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7

Max Kilman – 6

Jean-Clair Todibo – 6

El Hadji Malick Diouf -5

Freddie Potts – 9

Jarrod Bowen – 6

Mateus Fernandes – 7

Lucas Paqueta – 9

Crysencio Summerville – 8

Callum Wilson – 6

Substitutes

Tomas Soucek – 7

Kyle Walker-Peters -5

Igor Julio – N/A

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