Newcastle United star upholds West Ham United ‘tradition’ to send ominous warning to Premier League

Callum Wilson revealed he feels ‘energised’ after marking his return to the Newcastle United starting eleven with two goals in his side’s 5-1 demolition of West Ham United.

The England striker has played second fiddle to Alexander Isak in recent weeks but served notice of his return to form when he headed the second goal in the Magpies 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. Wilson was rewarded with his first start in four games at the London Stadium and he made the most of the opportunity by heading Eddie Howe’s side in front with a well-taken header from an Allan Saint-Maximin cross.

Kurt Zouma gave the Hammers some hope of getting back into the game when he halved the deficit after Joelinton had beat the offside trap to double Newcastle’s lead earlier in the first-half. But a firm press from Jacob Murphy forced an error in the home defence and allowed Wilson to double his tally and restore United’s two-goal lead less than 30 seconds after half-time.

Joelinton and substitute Isak also found the net as the Magpies further enhanced their chances of securing a return to Champions League football and maintained their position in the top four. For Wilson, the two-goal display was another example of his fondness for facing the Hammers as he netted his fifth goal in five United appearances against David Moyes’ side and his 12th in 13 appearances against the same opposition during his career as a whole.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s tradition now. Sometimes you have those teams you play against and today it was them.

“I enjoy playing against them and you kind of just have a feeling you’re going to score. Today I had the opportunity to play from the beginning and I managed to get on the scoresheet and get us three points. Before the game, everyone is talking, it’s West Ham, you’re going to score today, it’s about taking opportunities because I’ve been on the bench for the last few weeks and playing in from the beginning, I have to make a statement to show everybody I am still here.”

“It’s one of those, you nurse niggles throughout the season and then you have a break that helps you recharge and reset. For me, it’s been perfect, and now I feel I’m energised again, back in the mood for scoring and it’s nice to just keep getting the goals to help the team get points. We are in that business end of the season where goals are vital, points are vital and we just need to keep plugging away.”

Wilson admitted Newcastle will be ‘frustrated’ with their inability to keep and clean sheet and insisted there is room for improvement in their performance as they now turn their attention towards Saturday’s visit to fellow European challengers Brentford.

“I think we were good, we made a real statement,” explained the former Bournemouth striker.

“We had a bit of a sticky period after we scored two and it felt we took our foot off the gas and let them back into the game. Sloppy passes, long balls, just lost a bit of momentum. Second-half, we regrouped, got it back and it was nice to score so early in the second-half and then it’s a case of enjoying it.

“It is being clinical in both boxes. We probably could have scored more chances today. Goals are scored but it’s what happened five seconds before and if you look at today, it’s a great tackle from Anthony Gordon, even as a substitute coming on. Jacob Murphy, a great press, things like that. There are still things we can work on, we didn’t keep a clean sheet, which we will be frustrated with, but we have another game coming up and we have to make sure we are ready for that.”