Newcastle United prepared for Wembley with a professional victory at the London Stadium, returning to winning ways in the Premier League and moving level with fifth-place Manchester City.
Though Eddie Howe’s side weren’t at their best, they teed themselves up for the biggest event of the campaign against a West Ham United side whose attacking quality was largely negated by a depleted Magpie side. But a dangerous side all the same.
Newcastle have gone from strength to strength over the past several years, but victory at the weekend would take them higher still.
A 70-year domestic trophy drought needs snapping, but how exactly did the Toon play in the overtures to the Wembley showdown against Liverpool?
Newcastle's performance vs West Ham
Early on, Tino Livramento nearly sparked disaster for travelling United, missing a clearance and handing Tomas Soucek an in. The forward-charging midfielder failed to capitalise.
The Hammers huffed and puffed but ultimately were short on incisiveness. Even missing key parts, Howe has constructed a fiercely protective Newcastle team that will not roll over meekly.
While the hosts marginally edged the possession (51%), this will suit Howe just fine given Liverpool will expect to retain the lion’s share of the ball on Sunday. A clean sheet and restored confidence were what was needed and the Tynesiders have indeed achieved that.
While they will be missing several stars, Joelinton’s return to Premier League action after a knee injury serves as a further galvanising boost, bringing physicality and presence to the engine room, winning eight duels and making three tackles.
By the end of the match, West Ham had accumulated 0.72 xG (expected goals), as per Sofascore, but only 0.15 of that calculation arrived after the interval.
Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.
Newcastle’s discipline and defensive togetherness really does pay dividends, and must be harnessed in all its quality against Liverpool, top of the Premier League and perhaps the deadliest attacking unit in Europe.
Anthony Gordon might be suspended, but United have got a mean frontline of their own. The centrepiece, however, flattered to deceive in east London – and Howe must be concerned.
Howe must be worried about Newcastle star's display
We are talking, of course, about Alexander Isak, who will not be happy with his display against West Ham, though perhaps satisfied to have emerged unscathed with three top-flight points in the bag.
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He can’t be the hero every match, having fired 22 goals home from 33 matches in all competitions this season. Pundit Ally McCoist even described him as “the best all-round centre-forward” in the Premier League back in January.
However, Howe may have been somewhat concerned by the Sweden striker’s struggle to get going, with the Shields Gazette handing him a 6/10 match rating but noting he struggled to get into the match and lacked his usual bite.
Nonetheless, Isak is fit and ready to go for the final – and there’s no question he’ll be up for it as he chases down the first major honour of his English career.
Minutes played
79′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
29
Shots (on target)
1 (0)
Pass completion
12/16 (75%)
Key passes
0
Possession lost
9x
Dribbles
1/1
Duels won
1/8
But having lost seven of his eight duels against the Irons defence, Howe is bound to be somewhat concerned, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate sure to dissemble any lacklustre attacking play.
He also only mustered one shot all evening – and it was off-target at that. Again, Howe has felt the performance left plenty to be desired, but he’ll more likely be relieved his talisman is fit and primed to attack the weekend.
It may have even been his worst display of the season – though that really serves as a marker of just how incredible the 25-year-old has been across the season.
Now, we wait. Newcastle have a few days to recuperate before attacking the forthcoming fixture will all the vim and vigour. It’s a big one.
Returning to the Champions League is of course the primary objective of the term, but this seasonal offshoot could provide something unseen in several generations. Fans are dreaming.
Isak, you’d think, will be the defining factor for Howe’s men.
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