The powers that be at GoalZaza bring you a comprehensive account of the afternoon's Premier League hostilities as Newcastle United played host to West...
The powers that be at GoalZaza bring you a comprehensive account of the afternoon's Premier League hostilities as Newcastle United played host to West Ham United at the St. James' Park fortress. In a contest that promised much for the neutral, both sides gave a good account of themselves in a display of raw tenacity and intermittent brilliance. The Magpies, roared on by their partisan crowd, sought to assert their dominance from the first whistle, yet the Hammers, resilient and organised, refused to be bullied. It was a game of two halves in the truest sense, a loud and pulsating affair that swung violently before ending in a share of the spoils. The lion's share of possession belonged to the home side, but West Ham, clinical on the counter, struck with venom when it mattered most. In the scheme of things, this result keeps both sets of supporters guessing about their final league standing. The Nigerian international, a constant threat down the flank, showed flashes of the quality that makes him a Super Eagles talisman, though he was ultimately denied the final product by a stalwart defensive line from the visitors. At the end of the day, it was the goalkeepers who truly earned their wages, producing formidable saves that kept the scoreline respectable. The match official, a figure often maligned, allowed the game to flow, which only added to the theatre. Back in Lagos, at the popular Viewing Centre in Surulere, the atmosphere was electric, with fans leaping from their plastic chairs during each close chance. The cries of 'Oya, shoot!' and 'Na wa o' echoed through the hall as the game reached its fevered conclusion. For the many wearing the Magpies' black and white jerseys, the late equaliser was a cruel blow, while the West Ham faithful, in their claret and blue, celebrated the point as if it were a victory, reminding everyone that in the Premier League, no journey is without its twists and turns. This is football in its rawest, most beautiful form, and GoalZaza was there to chronicle every kick of the ball.
