Newcastle United earned their first Premier League victory since October 21 as strikes by Henri Saivet, Mohamed Diame and Christian Atsu settled an entertaining contest with West Ham.
The result eased some of the pressure on manager Rafa Benitez even if it didn’t lift Newcastle out of the relegation zone with Stoke beating West Brom.
West Ham took a sixth-minute lead at the London Stadium when Marko Arnautovic seized upon a poor pass by Saivet inside his own half, advanced on goal and slotted past Rob Elliot.
But Saivet was quick to atone for his error when he curled home a 30-yard free-kick just inside Adrian’s near post five minutes later.
Newcastle went in front shortly after half-time when Diame fired high into the net after Christian Atsu’s cross from the left found him inside the box.
West Ham then won a penalty when Michail Antonio was brought down by a combination of Ciaran Clark and DeAndre Yedlin right on the edge of the area, but Andrew Ayew’s spot-kick was saved by Elliot.
Newcastle extended their lead a few minutes later when Atsu picked up a loose pass, swapped passes with Joselu before firing home at the near post.
The home side, however, set up a grandstand finale when Ayew lashed home a close-range shot after Andy Carroll’s effort was blocked by Elliot.
More to follow.
Christian Atsu celebrates with his Newcastle United team-mates after scoring their third goal against West Ham
Christian Atsu fires past Adrian at the near post to extend Newcastle’s lead over West Ham to 3-1 just after the hour mark
Hammers goalkeeper Adrian yells at his defence as they concede twice in quick succession during the second period
Mohamed Diame refused to celebrate after scoring against his former club West Ham as Newcastle took the lead
Diame celebrates with a far more animated Joselu after putting Newcastle United into a second-half lead at West Ham
Diame is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring Newcastle’s second goal as they led for the first time in the match
Marko Arnautovic celebrates after firing West Ham into a sixth-minute lead against Newcastle United at the London Stadium
Arnautovic drifted past the challenge of Ciaran Clark before slotting home to give West Ham an early advantage
Ciaran Clark slid in but his efforts proved in vain as Arnautovic fired home past goalkeeper Rob Elliot for the opener
The bubbles soar at the London Stadium as West Ham’s players mob Marko Arnautovic after scoring their opening goal
However, West Ham’s lead was short lived as Henri Saivet (right) drew Newcastle level about five minutes after conceding
Saivet quickly atoned for his loose pass for West Ham’s goal when he curled home a 30-yard free-kick just inside the post
Saivet celebrates with his Newcastle team-mates after quickly erasing West Ham’s early lead at the London Stadium
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian looks back in dismay as Saivet’s free-kick beats him at his near post for Newcastle’s equaliser
Newcastle’s players remonstrate with referee Lee Mason after he awarded West Ham a penalty in the second-half
Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot guessed correctly to keep out Andre Ayew’s spot-kick and keep the Toon in front
Ayew did atone for his penalty miss by scoring West Ham’s second goal shortly afterwards as they rallied against Newcastle
Matt Ritchie curls a shot past Aaron Cresswell’s outstretched leg – the effort struck the post as Newcastle pushed forward
Ritchie reacts after his curling effort came back out off the post late in the first-half at the London Stadium
At the other end, West Ham’s Michail Antonio reacts after he sent a header from eight yards off target
Arthur Masuaku of West Ham attempts to cut inside with the ball past Newcastle United defender DeAndre Yedlin
Hammers forward Michail Antonio controls the ball in the air under pressure from Matt Ritchie and DeAndre Yedlin
Andre Ayew takes the ball infield under pressure from his Ghanaian compatriot Christian Atsu at the London Stadium
Marko Arnautovic, scorer of West Ham’s opening goal, tries to get beyond the challenge of Newcastle’s Mohamed Diame
Hammers striker Michail Antonio heads over the bar as the home side threaten another goal during the first-half
Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark holds his face after taking a blow, while West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate is also floored
Andre Ayew sets off with the ball as Newcastle players Mohamed Diame and Henri Saivet set off in pursuit of him
There was a festive atmosphere in and around the London Stadium as West Ham hosted their last game before Christmas
The Redbridge Brass band, sporting very festive jumpers, perform for the crowds inside the London Stadium
Novelty jumpers – such as this one featuring a West Ham-supporting snowman – were the order of the day on Saturday