Julen Lopetegui breathed a sigh of relief as his West Ham side secured a hard-fought victory against a high-flying Newcastle team on a chilly evening. The Spanish manager had been under immense pressure in the lead-up to the match, following a string of lackluster performances from his team in recent weeks.
The Hammers had failed to impress in their previous few outings, resulting in doubts about Lopetegui's ability to lead the team to success. With speculation rife about his future at the London Stadium, the pressure was on for Lopetegui to deliver a positive result against Eddie Howe's inform Newcastle outfit.
However, the West Ham players rose to the challenge and put on a spirited display that saw them claim all three points against a tough Newcastle side. Lopetegui's tactics and team selection seemed to pay off, as the Hammers looked more solid defensively and more potent in attack.
The victory will undoubtedly ease the pressure on Lopetegui, who has been constant in his assertions about the quality of his team. He will hope that this result is the start of a positive upturn in form, one that will catapult his team up the league table.
For Newcastle, the defeat is a setback in their quest for European football. The Magpies will be looking to bounce back quickly from this loss and continue their push for a top-seven finish.