William Osula scored twice in Newcastle’s 3-1 win over West Ham, in their final home game of the season, as the Hammers’ Premier League future looks uncertain. Here are the takeaways.
William Osula continues to make a case for the starting forward spot
Osula has had a positive run-in to the end of the season, and he continued to show it against West Ham.
Grabbed Newcastle’s second after cutting in off a one-two with Joe Willock and got in position to extend the Magpies’ lead. He continued to burst forward and be ready for anything that came his way, with Willock again providing a ball through for the 22-year-old and comfortably sealed victory for Newcastle.
In a season in which Eddie Howe’s Magpies have needed someone to step up and fill the role that Alexander Isak left all the way back in August, Osula has taken his recent opportunities by the hand and made the most of them.
Five goals in eight League games, with two in his first 51 games, he’s a player with such pace that he’s a handful for defenders, unpredictable, and he provides chaos whenever he’s on the pitch.
In a summer when the club will evaluate their options and who leaves, I’m not sure Osula appears on that list; instead, he’s become a must-keep.
Nick Woltemade has potential, but needs time
Nick Woltemade scored his first goal since December in the Magpies’ 3-1 victory over the Hammers. Now, there is no denying that this has been a difficult first season for him, despite the positive spell he had when he first came in and scored five goals in six games, but then dried up.
Woltemade needs time, because if you can get the ball to him inside the box, he will deliver just like he did against West Ham from Harvey Barnes’ cross, which put Newcastle in front.
He was never going to be able to fill the role Isak left, and that isn’t on him; it’s more on this Newcastle side not figuring out how to play to his strengths.
Pinging off Osula was key to Newcastle’s road to victory today, and he has managed to provide more impact in that role as a 10. Still, with a good pre-season, maybe we can see the full potential of Woltemade, as he has more to offer than he has shown this season.
Newcastle delivers its best attacking performance of the season
The Magpies saved their best attacking performance for their final home game of the season. They were clinical, energetic, incisive, dominant and direct.
Now they did benefit from some West Ham errors, but still, there was joy in watching them move the ball swiftly and getting chances away at Mads Hermansen; it looked like the 22/23 version of the Mags.
Pressing forward, putting pressure on their opposition and now whether that’s due to it being their final home fixture of the season or that Newcastle didn’t have anything to play for, it was refreshing to see Newcastle do what they’ve been known for in the Howe era.
Relentless throughout, with Osula an obvious standout, it was a clinical attacking performance: they took their chances when they came, had a 2-0 lead at half-time, and killed it off in the third, which they had previously failed to do all season.
A final farewell to multiple players
Kieran Trippier played his final home game for the club on Sunday, and Emil Krafth bade farewell at half-time, with both players’ contracts expiring at the end of this season.
But they might not be the only departures for the Mags, as it could also have been final home games for the likes of Joe Willock, Dan Burn, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon.
That is a long list of players, but it could well be the case, as Newcastle will be rebuilding its squad this summer, and if there is no European football next season, they will have to prepare for some big departures.
Gordon already seems to have one foot out the door, given his increasing links to Bayern Munich. Then, with some players getting older, it’s likely the best time to move them on, and bigger names may seek European football.
Sunday evening was likely the last appearance for many players at St. James’ Park as the club prepares for a big rebuild.
West Ham’s survival chances are slim
It was a must-win for the Hammers, and now they have to rely on Chelsea beating Tottenham Hotspur if they want it to go to the final day.
But West Ham could be relegated as soon as Tuesday if Roberto De Zerbi’s side seals victory. Not enough fight shown by the Hammers against Newcastle; self-inflicted mistakes hurt them, such as the Hammers’ goal kick that led to Harvey Barnes’ assist on Woltemade’s goal.
Nuno Espirito Santos’ side could very well be looking at playing in the Championship next season, as even a point for Spurs on Tuesday night will do enough due to a far superior goal difference.
The future of the Hammers looks uncertain, and any chance of survival is very slim after an away defeat on Tyneside; now their fate lies in the hands of others.
