Following predictable defeats at Manchester City and Liverpool in their previous two away games, Newcastle's European hopes were revived by victory at one of their favourite venues on Monday.

A close-range effort by Bruno Guimaraes secured three points after an instantly forgettable game when only the three points that returned Eddie Howe's side to sixth position ultimately mattered.  

The Magpies have now lost just once in eight visits to the London Stadium, this latest success their 150th Premier League away win in total and a record-equaling twelfth against the Hammers.

Coming ahead of Sunday's return to the capital, this win gave the Magpies a lift following a series of selection blows that followed their FA Cup exit; Anthony Gordon beginning a three match suspension while both Lewis Hall and Sven Botman sampled hospital waiting rooms rather than dressing rooms.

TV scheduling also brought about a rare Monday night success on the road; our first win in eight and just a third in 22 attempts - some payback for those present who didn't reach home until daylight. 

The hosts almost got off to the perfect start; Tomas Soucek receiving a pass from Mohammed Kudus in front of goal with 44 seconds on the clock, only to hoist his shot over Nick Pope's crossbar.

The goalkeeper was one of three changes from the side beaten by Brighton, preferred to Martin Dubravka. Back came Jacob Murphy and Bruno at the expense of Gordon and Lewis Miley, while 17 year-old striker Sean Neave made the bench for the first time in the Premier League

Graham Potter's side had beaten Arsenal and Leicester City in their previous two league fixtures, but initial eagerness soon gave way to a listless display befitting a mid-table side badly lacking firepower.

Harvey Barnes tested Alphonse Areola with a first-time flick from Kieran Trippier's centre in the 20th minute and tried his luck with a header soon after, but that lacked power and the goalkeeper got a hand to it.

Those opportunities proved to be the high points of an opening half as low-key as the atmosphere and nothing much changed after the break as the green and white clad visitors struggled to create shooting chances and the supply lines into the box were barren - not aided by the right-footed left side combination of Livramento and Barnes.

That all changed just after the hour though, when Murphy pinged a centre across the six yard box from the Newcastle right that Maximilian Kilman diverted towards his own goal - Areola pulling off a notable stop and Alexander Isak unable to direct the rebound on the target.

The Magpies were ahead two minutes later; Barnes playing a ball in from the edge of the box at the second attempt for Bruno to force home from close in - three years to the day that he got off the mark for the club with that memorable back-heeled effort at Southampton. 

A speedy VAR check disproved claims by home players that Isak had shoved Kilman in the back as the cross was played, contact made but the defender toppling over far too easily.   

And that really was that: West Ham ending up with two strikers on the field who have caused us harm previously in the shape of Danny Ings and Evan Ferguson, but precious little in the way of quality deliveries that allowed either them to threaten Pope's goal.

Further Newcastle goals could have followed as the hosts pushed forward and won a series of free kicks and corners that they promptly wasted: a couple of counter-attacks including one that caught Areola in the opposition half breaking down due to our unintelligent pass selection and execution.

There was one moment of consternation at the other end as Pope charged out of his goal to make a headed clearance, evoking unwelcome memories of a similar failed foray two years previously. 

What feels like an important victory was a tough watch at times, with what looks like the essence of the team to face Liverpool hardly pulling up any trees, but avoiding further ailments or incidents.

The manner of the success won't fill Arne Slot's lot with any fear but PSG meddled with his plans for world (or at least European) domination the following night at Anfield in the Champions League. 

Victory means that Howe's team arrive at Wembley on Sunday boasting a 100% record in London during 2025: PL victories at Spurs and West Ham book-ending the Carabao Cup success at Arsenal.

Our opinion of whether this happy Monday will lessen the chances of a Black Sunday hasn't changed, but if nothing else our season won't end at Wembley and tonight's three points ensures that the pursuit of Europe in some form via our finishing position continues.

PS: With the future home of Newcastle United a hot topic, this visit had a particular significance, if only as a cautionary tale of how to dismantle a football club. Nothing of the "old" West Ham now exists here, save for disgruntled fans of a certain age who cannot wait to get out of his hell hole.

We're often critical of those abandoning their places during Newcastle home games, but the drift here from home areas began after the hosts conceded a goal with over a quarter of the game remaining. 

Like our seasonal trek to Brighton's country retreat, this is a chore but we only have to do it once, unlike the home lot, who have to repeat that on a minimum of 19 occasions. 

Bizarrely, the crowd noise levels here are actually greater outside as the surrounding buildings echo them than inside, which has all of the atmosphere and allure of an abandoned industrial estate. No wonder home fans abandon their places at the drop of a hat, if they've bothered to come at all.

Stupid kick offs do play a part - just two of our eight visits here were old-fashioned Saturday 3pm starts and none of the last five - but the unsuitability of this venue for football and the lack of care taken to remedy spectator issues apparent when it opened have left it as a soulless edifice.  

Biffa