1. A home win at last!
It has not been easy being a West Ham United supporter at London Stadium in 2025.
The Hammers had won on home turf just twice previously this calendar year, and had not collected three points in E20 since the end of February.
That unwanted, unwelcome run of nine home Premier League games without a win finally came to an end on Sunday, when the Irons scored a deserved 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.
This was a victory based on individual effort and teamwork - elements Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo had demanded all week in training at Rush Green and again in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
From back to front, West Ham were strong and resilient, physically and mentally, overcoming the disappointment of conceding within four minutes, having a penalty award overturned and a goal disallowed to finish strong and earn three important points.
At the final whistle, the players and staff embraced and the supporters sang. The long wait for a home win is over.
As Nuno said after the game: “It's a little step, but it means so much.”
2. 10/10 from our No10
In his pre-match press conference, Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo said of Lucas Paquetá: “There's much more for him to give us, with the talent that he has. We need our No10.”
On Sunday against Newcastle United, the Brazilian responded in perfect fashion, scoring a superb goal and leading his team with a combination of technical brilliance and sheer hard work.
Statistically, our No10 was Man of the Match, adding tackles, interceptions, clearances and a team-high 77 touches to his vital and spectacular equaliser, which got West Ham United back on level terms ten minutes before half-time.
When the game remained in the balance late in the second half, it was Paquetá who was working all over the pitch to win and retain possession and drive his team up the pitch.
We needed our No10, and our No10 delivered.
3. Peerless Potts
Freddie Potts produced a coming-of-age performance at the heart of West Ham United’s midfield.
Making his full Premier League debut, the 22-year-old stood tall and, alongside fellow youngster Mateus Fernandes and goalscorer Lucas Paquetá, won the battle against Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.
Potts completed 33 of his 39 passes, including two key passes, and made four tackles, six clearances and an interception in an exceptional all-round display.
He would also have had a maiden goal for his boyhood Club to celebrate, if only the big toe on Tomáš Souček’s size eleven right boot had not strayed an inch offside.
It mattered not, though, as the No32 left the pitch with the supporters singing his name and a big smile on his face.
4. Outstanding Areola
Alphonse Areola showed exactly why he is a FIFA World Cup winner in Sunday’s 3-1 Premier League win over Newcastle United.
West Ham United’s France international goalkeeper made three vital first-half saves to give his team the platform to go on and secure an important victory.
At 1-0 down, he kept out a Jacob Murphy effort.
At 1-1, moments after Lucas Paquetá had levelled, he made a spectacular one-handed save to tip Anthony Gordon’s goal-bound shot inches past the post.
Minutes later, he made another fine diving stop to divert Joelinton’s strike wide of the target to keep the scores level.
Within three minutes, Sven Botman had put Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into his own net to give West Ham a lead they would not relinquish.
And that was in large part due to Areola’s commanding of his own six-yard box from a succession of corners and crosses, which he either caught or punched well clear of the home penalty area.
As full-time approached with the Irons defending a 2-1 advantage, he was there again to keep out William Osula’s header.
Moments later, Tomáš Souček bundled in West Ham’s third and the three points were secure - as secure as Alphonse Areola’s all-round performance in goal.
