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Newcastle 0-2 West Ham: Lifeline for Lopetegui

West Ham players celebrate scoring against Newcastle
[Getty Images]

This was both an unexpected and much needed result for West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui.

The pressure had been increasing on the Spanish coach, who replaced David Moyes in the summer, with results and performances so far this season not matching what was hoped for.

There were reports that he was two games away from being dismissed, and needed to get something from games against Newcastle and Arsenal.

Not only did West Ham manage to get the result he badly needed at St James' Park, but the performance at times will have given the club's fans hope that their fortune will turn around under Lopetegui.

The Hammers defended well, attacked with numbers and were clinical with the chances to produce the perfect away performance.

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[BBC]