LONDON, Feb 19: Newcastle showed further evidence of its gradual improvement under Eddie Howe by drawing 1-1 at top four-chasing West Ham to extend its unbeaten run in the Premier League to six on Saturday.
Joe Willock’s first-half stoppage time goal canceled out the opener scored by Craig Dawson in the 32nd at the Olympic Stadium.
Boosted by a slew of January signings funded by its new Saudi owners, Newcastle hasn’t lost since Dec. 19.
West Ham could have gone back into fourth place – at least overnight – with a win and went ahead when Dawson got on the end of a curling free kick to bury his header inside the near post.
Declan Rice was at fault for the equalizer after miscuing his attempted headed clearance from a cross into the center of the area.
He meant to clear it away but instead sent it back into the six-yard box, where Willock stretched to poke his foot out between Dawson and Ryan Fredericks and guided in a volley with the outside of his boot. Video technology confirmed the ball had crept over the line as it rebounded off the post. (AP)
