West Ham's Premier League relegation fears deepen with Newcastle defeat

Nick Woltemade opened the scoring at St James' Park after just 14 minutes following a defensive mistake from the visitors, before a quick-fire William Osula goal just four minutes later.

Osula then sealed the result with his second of the night after 64 minutes, before a spectacular consolation goal from Castellanos in the 68th minute.

The result leaves the Hammers on the verge of relegation, sitting 18th place in the league standings with 36 points from 37 games â” two adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, who have a game in hand against Chelsea on Tuesday.

West Ham made a bright start to the match, and a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka briefly threatened before a promising break by Osula at the other end ultimately fizzled out.

Bruno Guimarães fired into the arms of Mads Hermansen in the West Ham goal as he tried his luck from distance.

Osula then displayed some impressive trickery to ease his way past the West Ham defence, only for his shot to deflect to safety. There were appeals for a penalty as the ball brushed the arm of Tomas Soucek, but VAR ruled the incident accidental.

But Newcastle were soon ahead after 15 minutes when Woltemade slotted home from close range following a poor misplaced pass in defence from Hermansen. Ollie Barnes picked up the ball and teed up Woltemade perfectly for a side-footed finish from close range.

West Ham's relegation fears only worsened when, after a superb passing move, the ball was laid off for a buzzing Osula, who slotted home from the edge of the 18-yard area.

Hammers' boss Nuno wasted no time in making changes, introducing Taty Castellanos for Jean-Clair Todibo and changing the defensive shape, abandoning three at the back in favour of a flat back four.

The impact was almost immediate, with Castellanos forcing Newcastle stopper Nick Pope into a reaction save on the half-hour mark after a superb run and cut-back from Crysencio Summerville.

Pope then batted away the rebound from El Hadji Malick Diouf, while Callum Wilson was disappointed he could not get on the end of a dangerous Summerville free-kick in the box just minutes later.

Osula thought he was in again after 35 minutes, but the ball from Guimaraes over the Hammers' defence was just out of reach.

West Ham were certainly more competitive as the half unfolded, with Summerville a constant threat down the flank. A 40th-minute Diouf free-kick was hammered well wide, while a curling ball from Jarrod Bowen was headed clear with Castellanos lurking.

Nuno would have been encouraged by the response from his players, and they started the second period on the front foot, with an early goal the priority.

Diouf wanted a penalty after going down in the box under the challenge of Malick Thiaw, but the referee was unmoved.

Wilson was then beaten to the ball by Sven Botman at the back post following a deep cross from Diouf on the left.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe introduced Joe Willock for Sandro Tonali in the 53rd minute, with the Italian seemingly withdrawn because of a slight hamstring strain.

Some good attacking interplay allowed Mateus Fernandes to find space for a shot, but he failed to test Pope, while Guimaraes came inches away from a third Newcastle goal with a curling effort that had Hermansen well beaten.

Pablo and Mohamadou Kante were brought on for Soucek and Wan-Bissaka just past the hour mark in one final throw of the dice for West Ham.

But no sooner had the changes been made than Newcastle went three goals to the good, with Osula bagging his second of the afternoon in the 64th minute.

The goal came from a loss of possession following a throw-in, with Osula playing a couple of one-twos with Willock.

There was still some fight left in the travelling side, and Castellanos pulled a goal back with a superb volley after latching onto a long ball forward from Hermansen.

There were calls for a Hammers penalty after Wilson was brought down in the box by Lewis Hall, but play was allowed to continue.

Bowen may have done better with a shot on the run that he hit straight at Pope, while Castellanos smashed an effort from close range against Pope's crossbar in the dying minutes of the match.

There was a moment of applause from the home fans as Kieran Trippier made way for Anthony Elanga, with Trippier making his final appearance for the club at St James' Park.

Osula, meanwhile, made way for Yoane Wissa following a superb performance that ultimately condemned West Ham to defeat and left their Premier League place very much in doubt.

West Ham complete their 2025/26 Premier League season at home to Leeds United next Sunday. If Tottenham take a point from their last two games, against Chelsea or Everton, they will stay up.

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho Real Madrid future 'should be decided this week'