NEWCASTLE HAMMER WEST
Diop, Joelinton and Willock heroics pip West Ham; Spurs held by Everton despite Kane’s double
Newcastle (United Kingdom), April 17: Newcastle moved closer to Premier League survival after Joe Willock’s late goal capped a thrilling 3-2 win against 10-man West Ham that dented the visitors’ bid for a top four finish in the Premier League.
Steve Bruce’s side had squandered a two-goal lead in the closing stages at St James’ Park, but Willock came off the bench to snatch a priceless winner.
Newcastle are nine points clear of the relegation zone with just six games remaining in a turbulent season on Tyneside.
The Magpies had taken control in the first half thanks to Issa Diop’s own goal and a blunder from West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski for Joelinton’s strike.
West Ham defender Craig Dawson was sent off for two bookings in between those goals.
But the Hammers set up a tense finale when Diop got one back before Jesse Lingard equalised with a penalty 10 minutes from full-time.
On-loan Arsenal midfielder Willock settled a pulsating encounter with his thunderous header, putting Newcastle in position to avoid relegation.
Staying up would be an impressive achievement for Bruce, who has battled with dressing room rifts and distracting takeover talk.
The defeat was a big blow for West Ham as they chase an unexpected place in next season’s Champions League.
David Moyes’ side remain fourth, but Chelsea are just one point behind with a game in hand, while fifth-placed Liverpool would go above the Hammers if they beat Leeds on Monday.
In another match, England forward Harry Kane suffered a worrying ankle injury ahead of next week’s League Cup final after scoring twice in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-2 draw away to Everton in the Premier League on Friday.
Gylfi Sigurdsson also grabbed two goals for Everton in a result that did little for either side’s European hopes.
Kane, expected to lead England’s attack in this year’s coronavirus delayed European Championships, went off in stoppage time towards the end of the match after rolling his ankle when challenged in the box at an Everton corner.
Kane’s 20th league goal of the season put Spurs ahead in the 27th minute at Goodison Park only for Sigurdsson to equalise soon afterwards from the penalty spot.