Alan Shearer says Nick Pope and Sven Botman were ‘terrible’ for the part they played in the goal Kurt Zouma scored for West Ham United against Newcastle United on Wednesday night at the London Stadium.
Despite that being the only blip to Newcastle’s performance, Shearer felt that Eddie Howe’s side were ‘right at it’ against the relegation-threatened team after putting five past them.
Newcastle’s defence has been outstanding this season, with Nick Pope securing 13 clean sheets, as Sven Botman has played a huge part in that, but Zouma’s headed goal from a corner was a rare blip from the team.
Despite all of that, the Champions League-chasing side, who are sitting third in the Premier League table, have well and truly stamped their authority in the race to finish in the top four.
That blip, which came on either side of the League Cup final, is now behind the Magpies because they have won four games on the bounce.
From Callum Wilson to Kieran Trippier, as Shearer mentioned, there have been some ‘big performances’ from the players, as he told Premier League Productions (05/04/23 at 10:15 pm).
“It’s fine margins, isn’t it,” said Shearer. “West Ham hit the post in the first minute, then straight away within a few minutes, Newcastle go down the other end and scored two quick goals.
“To their credit, they came back and got a goal just before half-time. But then, early on in the second half, it was all over straight away.
On West Ham’s goal: “It was a terrible time to concede. It was terrible from Botman. He loses Zouma, then not great from Pope.
“But Newcastle were right at it. Some of their passing. Some of their finishing. It could and should have been more. To go to West Ham, and score five goals in the manner in which they did, some big performances in there. It was a great away performance from Newcastle. Exactly what they needed. Four wins on the trot.”
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NIGHTS
The change in mood at Newcastle United during these last 18 or so months has been quite incredible.
Fans are probably pinching themselves because it could be argued that they are further ahead in their plan than they probably first envisaged.
Yes, Champions League football was the aim, but to possibly get there in Howe’s first season in charge will be incredible, and in truth, with less than ten games of the season left, they are deserving of it.
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