Paquetá stars in first West Ham win under Nuno
West Ham United secured their first home victory since February and their maiden win under new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, defeating Newcastle United 3–1 at the London Stadium on Saturday. Lucas Paquetá’s first-half strike, a Sven Botman own goal, and a late effort from Tomáš Souček lifted the Hammers off the bottom end of the Premier League table.
The win ended a run of nine league matches without a victory and marked a significant turnaround for a side that had appeared in danger of being drawn into an early relegation fight. Nuno, appointed last month to steady the team after a poor start to the season, saw his players deliver a spirited and disciplined display in front of home supporters who had grown increasingly frustrated with the club’s form.
West Ham’s afternoon began in familiar fashion when Jacob Murphy put Newcastle ahead inside four minutes, punishing defensive confusion after £40 million centre-back Max Kilman was caught high up the pitch. But unlike in previous home defeats, the hosts responded positively, with Paquetá driving West Ham forward and setting the tempo in midfield.
The Brazilian playmaker, who has been linked with a potential transfer in recent windows, produced a moment of quality in the 35th minute, firing home a low shot from the edge of the area after goalkeeper Nick Pope’s clearance fell kindly into his path. The equalizer restored belief among the home crowd and shifted momentum firmly in West Ham’s favour.
On the stroke of halftime, further defensive indecision cost Newcastle when Botman turned Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into his own net to hand West Ham the lead. The goal capped a strong first-half recovery and gave Nuno’s side control heading into the break.
Eddie Howe made three substitutions at halftime in an effort to change the rhythm of the game, but Newcastle’s attacking response lacked precision. Despite increased possession, the visitors failed to trouble Alphonse Areola, and West Ham punished their passivity deep into stoppage time when Jarrod Bowen’s strike was parried by Pope into the path of Souček, who slid home the rebound to seal a deserved win.
The result ended West Ham’s 248-day wait for a home victory and offered an early sign of progress under Nuno, whose tactical emphasis on compact structure and vertical transitions appeared to suit Paquetá’s creative instincts.
For Newcastle, the defeat extended a poor away run stretching back to March, highlighting concerns over consistency on the road despite their strong home form.
West Ham will view the result as a crucial confidence boost in their bid to climb the table, while Paquetá’s influential display reaffirmed his importance as the creative heartbeat of Nuno’s evolving side.