West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui breathed a sigh of relief as his team secured a hard-fought victory against Newcastle United at St James

Heading into the match, the Hammers were under immense pressure following a string of subpar performances that left many questioning Lopetegui

Some football pundits even went as far as to speculate about Lopetegui

However, the West Ham players had other plans as they silenced their critics with a gritty display that earned them all three points in Newcastle

Lopetegui must have been thrilled with the outcome as West Ham showed signs of resilience and determination that had been lacking in their previous games

From the opening whistle, both teams showcased their attacking prowess, with Newcastle applying intense pressure on the West Ham defense

Despite this, the Hammers managed to contain their opponents and gradually started to gain momentum as the match progressed

Lopetegui will be heartened to see his players rise to the challenge and overcome the odds to emerge victorious in a battle that showcased the best of English Premier League football

While there is still work to be done to turn their season around, the win at Newcastle will undoubtedly provide a much-needed boost to West Ham

It will be interesting to see how Lopetegui builds upon this momentum as the Hammers gear up for their next fixture

One thing is certain - the pressure valve has been temporarily released, but Lopetegui and his team will be keenly aware that their journey to redemption has only just begun

For now, though, they can bask in the glory of a well-deserved win that will give the team renewed hope and confidence moving forward