Newcastle United very nearly won against West Ham United on Sunday – but they also very nearly lost.
It was a thrilling game of football at the London Stadium, and one that ended with each side earning a point. It was certainly a fair result on the balance of play, but it almost ended up being a crushing defeat for the Magpies.
Alexander Isak’s exquisite brace had put Newcastle 2-1 up, and Eddie Howe’s side were in complete control for most of the second half.
However, a late wave of West Ham pressure got them an equaliser, as Mohammed Kudus slammed home his first goal for the club, much to Newcastle’s frustration.
The 89th minute strike gave West Ham the momentum, and it was David Moyes’ side who nearly went on to win it.
Jarrod Bowen came excruciatingly close, skipping inside beyond Dan Burn before firing a strong effort towards the bottom left corner.
With two West Ham players rushing in, a winner looked inevitable. However, there was Nick Pope to rescue his side with a stunning save.
David Seaman really impressed by Nick Pope’s save vs West Ham
Former England goalkeeper David Seaman has been speaking about the draw between West Ham and Newcastle on the latest episode of his podcast Seaman Says.
He discussed Nick Pope’s performance, and admitted that the 31-year-old salvaged himself in stoppage time with an ‘epic save’ to deny Bowen.
“Nick Pope going on a walkabout for the first goal,” he said.
“But I will back him up with an epic save at the end!”
Vital intervention from Newcastle’s goalkeeper
It truly was a brilliant save from Pope to deny Bowen. He got down quickly to push the ball away from danger, ensuring that Newcastle returned to Tyneside with a point.
The £10million man’s intervention was even more crucial given what had happened in the first half.
West Ham took the lead in the 8th minute, with Tomas Soucek scoring an open goal. That came after Emerson Palmieri rounded Pope, who found himself in no man’s land.
It was a rare lapse of judgement from the goalkeeper, but he more than atoned for his error in stoppage time at the London Stadium.
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