Alexander Isak's brace ensured that Newcastle went into the international break unbeaten in seven league and cup games, but a late Hammers revival at a sunlit London Stadium meant that they had to settle for a first Premier League draw of the season rather than their fourth successive win.

Both sides came into the game on the back of midweek European victories, but while David Moyes freshened his line-up from the one that won in Frieburg, Eddie Howe's only change to the conquerors of PSG was enforced; Elliot Anderson replacing the suspended Anthony Gordon.

The in-form Gordon's absence was keenly felt in an opening half when Newcastle struggled to make any impact in the final third, nobody else capable of providing his spark or threat - or drawing fouls to create set piece opportunities.

The Hammers took advantage of some defensive hesitancy and questionable placement by Nick Pope to go ahead early on, but were content to drop behind the ball and defend their lead thereafter.

Despite that, we looked jaded and it wasn't until the 29th minute that Miggy Almiron had his side's first real attempt on goal but shot beyond the far post, Dan Burn heading narrowly wide soon after.

A frustrating opening period ended with Anderson through the middle and Isak out the left, where he was able to use his nimble-footedness to elude opponents but found previous little in front of him. 

Returning for the second half unchanged, a resurgent Newcastle were visibly quicker as they pressed West Ham and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had to make an acrobatic stop to block Dan Burn's header from Isak's dinked cross - Sean Longstaff agonisingly close to reaching the rebound.

From their next attack though, the visitors were level as Isak - reinstated to his central role - scored for the third successive league game. That was in the 57th minute and just five minutes later those Newcastle fans behind that goal were bouncing again as Isak got another, and VAR obliged again.

With West Ham chasing shadows, the pivotal passage of play arrived on 73 minutes, as Dan Burn's perceptive through ball sent Isak through on goal. Although he rounded Areola though, he hit the near post from a narrowing angle and saw the ball rebound off Nayef Aguerd for a corner.

Had that gone in it would almost certainly have been game over but the arrival of Mohammed Kudus gave West Ham renewed impetus and the Ghanaian eluded a tiring Newcastle side to level. 

At that point the visitors were hanging on and Bowen looked a certain scorer but Pope's save denied him a winner and the game ended all square, Newcastle now beaten just once here in seven visits.

The draw kept the black and whites in eighth, one point behind the Hammers and three off the top five with Aston Villa and Liverpool also drawing their Sunday games.

Frustration then that a lead was lost and three points became one, but given our lack of spark in the first period it was difficult to see just an equaliser would come from, short of bringing perennial Hammer tormentor Callum Wilson on - something which it later transpired wasn't a viable option.

There's now a welcome opportunity to for supporters and players alike to draw breath and rest limbs, livers and bank balances before the next frantic fixture set of seven games in just 22 days.

Howe confirmed that the visit of Crystal Palace on Saturday week should see Sven Botman, Joelinton and Emil Krafth available and Joe Willock back training, leaving just Harvey Barnes sidelined. Isak meanwhile reported a groin twinge in the latter stages of this game and was forced to withdraw from the Sweden squad. Assuming that's nothing more serious, that could also be a blessing for us.   

Some good fortune saw Bruno Guimaraes pick up an early booking for a kick on Emerson but then avoid a second for what was arguably a worse foul on James Ward-Prowse not long after. 

That yellow card was the Brazilian's fourth in the PL so far, leaving him one away from suspension. Bookings in both the Carabao Cup and Champions League leave him on six cautions from eleven appearances, an alarming deterioration from collecting nine in 40 club outings last season.

Fellow midfielder Tonali endured some criticism online after completing what was his first full game for the club, but to our eyes was involved to an acceptable level as he gets to grips with this division. 

The Italian also went over under challenge in the final seconds on the touchline adjacent to David Moyes, sending the Hammers boss into apoplexy, which was almost worth the journey alone. 

Certainly there seemed to be no backlash against him from those present here today, with a general acceptance that this was still a decent result from those travellers we encountered. Sadly though, the tendency to over-react to any defeat isn't just combined to those newcomers who are yet to take the price ticket off their half and half scarves (£15 here today beforehand, £5 after....).

A month after returning from Brighton on the back of a third successive defeat, seven games in three competitions underlined the quality and commitment within this squad, even when without big hitters like Botman and Joelinton. As was the case last season, momentum and belief are proving crucial.   

Biffa