West Ham United 0–1 Newcastle United Player Ratings: Bruno Guimaraes Winner Helps Maintain the Magpies’ UCL Charge

Newcastle United were able to keep their Champions League qualification dreams alive with a gritty 1-0 win over West Ham United on Monday (10 March 2025) at the London Stadium, London. A smart finish from close range from Bruno Guimaraes in the 63rd minute was all that seperated the two sides, helping the Magpies move level on points with fifth-place Manchester City in the Premier League table.

The Hammers took the fight to Eddie Howe’s side from the get-go and had a golden opportunity to take an early lead. In the first minute itself, Mohammed Kudus raced forward to swing the ball into the Newcastle United box, but Tomas Soucek blasted it above the bar from open range.

Harvey Barnes, who replaced the suspended Anthony Gordon in the game, was a proactive figure in getting at the end of chances. He struck a shot into the side-netting in the 18th minute, before diverting another shot at Alphonso Areola two minutes later. Jarrod Bowen was played through on goal after a swift move in the 23rd minute, but his weak shot didn’t cause much trouble.

Barnes managed to get to the end of a sharp corner routine in the 25th minute, forcing an expert save from Areola. Kudus came close to opening the scoring in the 30th minute but saw his attempt denied by Nick Pope. The blistering winger was played through into the box in the 43rd minute, but just couldn’t get his shot away in time as both teams ended up canceling each other out in the first half.

The hosts seemingly ran out of ideas in the second half, not being able to pressurize the Newcastle United backline. The Magpies put the pressure on after the turn of the break, with Dan Burn having a header saved around the hour mark. Areola was forced to make a remarkable stop to deny a possible Max Kilman own goal three minutes later, saving his side from disaster.

However, he witnessed all that come to nothing as Guimaraes popped up in the far post to score with a cheeky finish in the 63rd minute. Jarrod Bowen had a penalty shout in the 70th minute after going down following a challenge from Guimaraes, but VAR did not deem it ‘intentional’.

Despite West Ham throwing in the kitchen sink in the final stretch of the game, they just didn’t have enough firepower to score an equalizer as Newcastle United got a big win before the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. Here are West Ham United vs Newcastle United Player Ratings.

West Ham United Player Ratings

GK – Alphonso Areola – 7.5/10

The Frenchman was sharp in his goal, working hard to keep his side in the game for as long as possible. He made a couple of impressive saves in the first half, frustrating Harvey Barnes. Then denied a potential freaky own goal with an amazing reflex save, but couldn’t do much about Bruno’s goal.

RWB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7/10

Arguably West Ham United’s best defender. He was electric on the right side, working hard to neutralize Barnes’ threat as much as possible. Came up with a string of vital tackles, including a huge one to deny Barnes late in the first half. Wo key duels as well.

CB – Jean-Clair Todibo – 5.5/10

Todibo helped his side keep Isak as neutralized as possible but wasn’t that proactive with his defensive contributions. Popped up with a few key challenges, but caught napping during Bruno’s goal.

CB  – Max Kilman – 6/10

The West Ham centre-back held together their defensive line relatively well. He ensured they didn’t allow too much open space to the visitors, popping up with some nice challenges. Very lucky not to score an own goal in the second half after a botched clearance.

CB  – Aaron Creswell – 5.5/10

Cresswell helped his side maintain a decent defensive line, making a few nice clearances but lacking the authority to neutralize the visitors. Couldn’t mark Bruno for his goal.

LWB  – Oliver Scarles – 6.5/10

The young defender worked hard to keep Newcastle United quiet through the left flank. Did a solid job in keeping Jacob Murphy quiet, popping up with some key tackles to frustrate the visitors.

CM  – Tomas Soucek – 4.5/10

Produced an awful miss from close range in the first minute, scoring which could’ve changed the shape of the game. Struggled to help his side move things efficiently in midfield, but did win duels.

CM  – James Ward-Prowse – 6/10

Ward-Prowse was diligent with his distribution work, moving the ball forward well. He won a few nice duels but struggled to neutralize Newcastle United’s threat in moving through the central channels. Couldnn’t create much with his set-piece threat.

CM – Edson Alvarez – 5.5/10

An aggressive figure in the West Ham midfield and seemed to like the physical duels against the opposition players, winning a lot of them. But his overall positioning and game-reading showed lapses, being unable to stop Newcastle’s control in midfield.

CF – Jarrod Bowen – 5/10

Bowen had a relatively frustrating outing up front against a diligent Newcastle backline. He was able to get into the final third with some bright runs, but failed to produce that special spark. Had a penalty call turned down in the second half.

CF – Mohammed Kudus – 6.5/10

Kudus was a real livewire in the West Ham attack with his dangerous movement and ability to sprint through into the final third. Created some big chances with his inviting delivery and worked hard defensively too.

SUB – Lucas Paqueta – 5/10

Paqueta was brought on to elevate West Ham’s attacking work, but couldn’t do that. He lacked that special something with his final passes.

SUB – Kostas Mavropanos – 6/10

Helped to stop Newcastle United from scoring more than one and did well on their counter-attacks.

SUB – Carlos Soler – 5/10

Worked hard to get in some nice areas but lacked that bite with his final product.

SUB – Evan Ferguson – 5/10

Couldn’t get to the end of anything noteworthy late on.

SUB – Danny Ings – N/R

Manager – Graham Potter – 4.5/10

Potter was perhaps a bit too regressive with his approach, opting for a ‘defence-first’ style and being too reliant on predictable counter-attacking moves. Despite his side’s strong start, they lost energy after the first half and looked clueless in trying to get the equalizer.

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Newcastle United Player Ratings

GK – Nick Pope – 7/10

Pope was a diligent figure in goal, showcasing admirable reflexes with some sharp saves. His passing ability was pretty good too, while he came out of his goal to make a vital clearance late on.

RB – Kieran Trippier – 7/10

Trippier looked pretty comfortable on the right side, reading the West Ham attacking moves well for the majority of the game. Stopped Kudus from scoring with a vital trackback late in the first half, and also created some nice chances.

CB – Fabian Schar – 6.5/10

Schar had a horrible start by being caught wrongfooted before Soucek’s early goal. However, he recovered strongly to be more assertive with his defensive work after that and made timely clearances to frustrate the hosts.

CB – Dan Burn – 7.5/10

Burn used his physical stature and clever game-reading ability to pop up in the right positions to protect his backline. Made a flurry of crucial clearances and kept Bowen relatively quiet too.

LB – Tino Livramento – 7/10

Livramento was a positive energy for Newcastle United on the left flank, working hard to stop West Ham from creating anything noteworthy through his side. He regained possession numerous times, as well as driving his side forward with promising forward runs.

CM – Sandro Tonali – 7.5/10

Tonali impressed in the deeper midfield role for Newcastle United, ensuring that his side was able to win the midfield battle. He was defensively excellent, often popping up with tackles and winning duels to stop the fast breaks.

CM – Bruno Guimaraes – 9/10

Guimaraes was the difference maker for Newcastle United and looked to be playing one step ahead of the others against West Ham. He created a few prominent chances with his excellent delivery, working hard to win challenges and then produced a poacher’s finish for his goal.

CM – Joelinton – 7/10

The Brazilian midfielder was a bullish figure, triggering some West Ham players at times with his aggressiveness. Couldn’t do much creatively, but he won at least key challenges and regained possession often.

RW – Jacob Murphy – 5/10

Murphy had an off-day because of the tight marking on him in the wing. Didn’t create anything noteworthy or come close to threatening the opposition’s goal.

LW – Harvey Barnes – 7/10

Barnes was a real menace for the West Ham backline with his impressive off-the-ball movement and tendency to get into the right areas. Bit unlucky not to score after getting at the end of chances in the first half, but redeemed himself with an excellent cross for the goal.

CF – Alexander Isak – 5.5/10

Isak did not have it easy because of the tight marking on him. He did a good job in terms of link-up play and disrupting the shape of West Ham’s backline, but couldn’t showcase his scoring prowess.

SUB – Callum Wilson – 5/10

Wilson scuffed a few potential late chances, not being the most effective player on the counter-attacks.

SUB – Joe Willock – 6/10

Added a bit more steeel to his side’s midfield line and helped them keep out West Ham’s attacks.

SUB – Sean Longstaff – N/R

Helped his side get things over the line.

Manager – Eddie Howe – 7.5/10

Howe saw his Newcastle United side have a shaky start as they were troubled by West Ham’s counter-attacks. Made some clever tweaks to ensure that Newcastle stopped West Ham on their tracks in midfield and gained more control of the game. His decision to give Bruno Guimaraes more freedom was vindicated as he scored the winner.

Sportsdunia’s Man of the Match for this game goes to Bruno Guimaraes.

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