Match Reports

All Souls Day 2025 will not be remembered fondly by fans of Newcastle United. By the end of a deeply depressing visit to the London Stadium, it felt more akin to the Day of the Dead.

Initially, it seemed to go swimmingly. Bowen crashed a fierce shot off Pope’s far post in the opening exchanges and Newcastle responded impressively.

Bruno played in Murphy down the right wing. He swerved inside and out before striking a shot from about 20 yards. It was low and firm across Areola, giving the keeper no chance.

That was more or less the final meaningful contribution of those two players. At least they brought some brief joy to the travelling fans. Unlike their outfield, out-of-sorts teammates. Apart from a save low to his right to keep out a Gordon shot, Areola was untested.

Where was the cohesion, the drive, the willingness to take on and beat opponents who had lost all four previous home games in this season’s Premier League? How many tackles were lost, how many passes misplaced?

West Ham had not claimed maximum points at the London Stadium since February. Allowing for the summer break, that was...