West Ham 1-1 Newcastle: Player ratings as Willock earns visitors deserved point

From London Stadium - Joe Willock's first goal of the season earned Newcastle a deserved 1-1 draw with West Ham on a wet and windy afternoon at London Stadium.

The Hammers had taken the lead through Craig Dawson, who also netted last week, but Eddie Howe's side were well worth a point after a spirited display in the capital, though they may head back to the North East thinking they should have bagged all three points.

West Ham made three changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Leicester last Sunday, most notably recalling Kurt Zouma to the side after illness in place of Issa Diop, while Newcastle were without star man Allan Saint-Maximin - an injury casualty alongside long-term absentee Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier, who broke his foot against Aston Villa last Sunday.

The Magpies, in confident mood after a good run of form, were the ones hot out of the traps, controlling possession early on and going close with two good Joelinton and Ryan Fraser chances; West Ham finally waking up just before the quarter-hour mark as Michail Antonio fired an effort on goal that was blocked.

The visitors continued to look dangerous on the counter, with Willock making a couple of nice darting runs from midfield, but, as so often seems to be the case with Newcastle, they were caught out on the half-hour by some really sloppy defending.

Emil Krafth bodychecked Antonio 25 yards out on the angle and Aaron Cresswell whipped a wonderful delivery from the subsequent free-kick onto the head of Dawson, who powered it past a helpless Martin Dubravka.

But rather than press home their advantage, West Ham allowed Newcastle to get to the left byline one too many times after numerous warnings during the first 45 minutes.

Declan Rice failed to deal with Fraser's cross after he did exactly that, and his skewed header allowed Willock to poke past Lukasz Fabianski from close range - the ball cannoning in off the post to just about creep over the line.

The second half saw more of the same; Newcastle on top for large periods of the game without really threatening the West Ham goal, and the hosts laboured every time they got the ball.

Jonjo Shelvey was impressive throughout, as were Willock and Dan Burn, and Newcastle's ability to stifle West Ham and wrestle back possession was a key feature of the game.

Willock fired wide of Fabianski's post with an effort from outside the box but that was good as it got in terms of second half chances; West Ham failing to have any significant efforts on Dubravka's goal, not even registering a shot on target.

Full ratings below for both teams.

West Ham player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Lukasz Fabianski (GK) - 6/10 - Nothing he could do to prevent Willock's equaliser but showed razor sharp reflexes early on to smother Joelinton's shot from close range.

Ryan Fredericks (RB) - 4/10 - Clearly targeted by Newcastle as a potential weakness, with a number of overlapping runs leaving him outnumbered and overwhelmed. No surprise to see him replaced at the break after being booked.

Craig Dawson (CB) - 7/10 - Bulleted home an unstoppable header to give West Ham the lead. Made some good interceptions and vital blocks.

Kurt Zouma (CB) - 7/10 - Terrific in the air against Wood, who many Premier League defences often struggle to contain.

Aaron Cresswell (LB) - 6/10 - Lovely whipped delivery to land the ball square on the forehead of Dawson - his seventh assist of the season.

2. Midfielders

Declan Rice (CM) - 5/10 - It's not often you can accuse West Ham's skipper of being sub-standard, but there was a few moments of real carelessness in the first half. His error led to the goal.

Tomas Soucek (CM) - 5/10 - Put under pressure by Newcastle's desire to run through the middle, often being bypassed, and didn't offer enough going forward.

Pablo Fornals (CM) - 6/10 - Quiet opening but came into the game with some perfectly weighted through balls and flicks. Faded as West Ham failed to up the tempo.

3. Forwards

Jarrod Bowen (RW) - 6/10 - Lively as always as he looked to exploit the space in behind Targett. Came up against a formidable presence in Burn.

Michail Antonio (ST) - 4/10 - Caused Newcastle problems with his movement and ability to provide an outlet, but his hold-up play wasn't great and his desire to get into the channel so often left the Hammers short through the middle.

Said Benrahma (LW) - 5/10 - Bright at times in the first half and picked up some clever positions between the lines. More needed, however, particularly with his final ball. Lacking confidence? Perhaps.

4. Substitutes

Ben Johnson (46' for Fredericks) - 6/10 - Did a far better job than Fredericks. Took a nasty bang to the head but was okay to continue.

Nikola Vlasic (72' for Benrahma) - 5/10 - Tried to get involved and get West Ham going but it was all a bit flat around him.

Not used: Areola (GK), Diop, Alese, Kral, Noble, Yarmolenko, Chesters

Newcastle player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Martin Dubravka (GK) - 6/10 - Made a good low stop down to his left from Bowen but otherwise a quiet afternoon.

Emil Krafth (RB) - 6/10 - Committed a cynical foul on Antonio in the first half, earning a deserved booking. Poured forward at every opportunity and whipped in some dangerous crosses.

Fabian Schar (CB) - 7/10 - West Ham tried to isolate Schar with the physical threat of Antonio but, for the most part, he coped well.

Dan Burn (CB) - 8/10 - Cool, calm, composed and an absolute colossus of a man. Very good signing for Newcastle.

Matt Targett (LB) - 7/10 - Offered a tremendous threat for Newcastle down the left flank, getting to the byline on numerous occasions. Another shrewd acquisition.

6. Midfielders

Ryan Fraser (RM) - 6/10 - Ran his heart out all afternoon, chasing down every ball for Newcastle. Switched between the right and left flank to good effect.

Jonjo Shelvey (CM) - 7/10 - The engine room of Newcastle's midfield saw plenty of the ball and helped the visitors dominate possession early doors. Pretty good display knowing Bruno Guimaraes is waiting in the wings.

Joe Willock (CM) - 8/10 - Pushed forward whenever he could and relentlessly pressed West Ham's backline. In the right place at the time to capitalise on Rice's mistake but still had to show the composure to bury the chance.

Joelinton (CM) - 7/10 - Showed great touch and finesse at times. Remarkable how much better he looks in the heart of midfield.

Jacob Murphy (LM) - 6/10 - Buzzed around the Hammers backline and was never afraid to run at Fredericks or Johnson. Not a bad outing.

7. Forwards

Chris Wood (ST) - 4/10 - Struggled to get into the game despite Newcastle's early domination. Beaten countless time in the air by Zouma and was a bit of a passenger as play went on around him.

8. Substitutes

Miguel Almiron (78' for Fraser) - 5/10 - Not enough time to really influence proceedings.

Bruno Guimaraes (87' for Willock) - N/A - A short cameo.

Not used: Darlow (GK), Dummett, Lascelles, Fernandez, Gayle, Longstaff, De Bolle