Firing after sinking Magpies
faint hopes of a fightback in stoppage time.
Pellegrini said: “I’m very pleased because I think we played a very complete game.
Attacking, we scored three goals and we created a lot more chances and defending, we kept a clean sheet and really Newcastle didn’t have clear, clear chances.”
Opposite number Rafael Benitez admitted that the visitors, who spent around £100million this summer with Anderson alone costing £40million, had simply had too much quality for his side.
He said: “Arnautovic, Felipe Anderson, Snodgrass and Hernandez, four players – all of them have quality, all of them have pace, they have ability, that’s the point. It wasn’t just one player today.
“The four offensive players and the players in the middle that they had, they are quite good and will create problems against anyone.”
Asked if that is the kind of quality he craves at St James’ Park, Benitez replied: “Obviously it’s a reminder that still we can improve things, and we have to improve things.
“There are two ways: one is working harder and better, or bringing in players who on their own can make the difference.” NEWCASTLE united:
Dubravka 6; Yedlin 5, Fernandez 5, Schar 6, Manquillo 6; Ritchie 5 (Atsu 54, 6), Ki 6, Diame 6, Kenedy 5 (Shelvey 70, 6); Perez 5 (Joselu 78, 6), Rondon 6. Unused subs –Woodman, Clark, Lascellesm, Longstaff.
WEST HAM: Fabianski 7; Zabaleta 7, Balbuena 7, Diop 7, Cresswell 6 (Masuaku 56, 7); Anderson 8, Noble 7 (Wilshere 85, 6), Rice 7, Snodgrass 7; Hernandez 8, Arnautovic 6 (Obiang 71, 7). Unused subs – Adrian, Ogbonna, Perez, Carroll.