London Feb 19 (BNA): Newcastle showed more evidence of their gradual improvement under Eddie Howe with a 1-1 draw with fourth-placed West Ham in their pursuit to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games on Saturday.
Joe Willock’s skilful first-half stoppage time scrapped Craig Dawson’s 32nd-minute opener header on the Olympic Stadium, according to the Associated Press.
Buoyed by a slew of January trades, Newcastle have not lost since December 19 and seem to have a level enough now to avoid a drop. The Northeast team started the game four points behind the bottom three.
West Ham could have returned to fourth place – at least overnight – with a win and going forward when Dawson curled a free kick to bury his header inside the near post.
Declan Rice, who may be West Ham’s best player this season, was mistaken in the equalizer after he misjudged his attempt to head the ball from a cross into the center of the area.
He meant to take him away, but instead sent him back to the six-yard square, Willock stretched his foot between Dawson and Ryan Fredericks and directs a ball with the outside of his shoe off the post.
Video technology confirmed that the ball slipped over the line when it bounced off the post.
Three of Newcastle’s five signings in January started the game, with Kieran Trippier injured, and Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes only featured as a late substitute.
West Ham are behind fourth-placed Manchester United, who visit Leeds on Sunday.
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