Good afternoon everybody, and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League encounter between West Ham United and Newcastle United!

Both of these sides had somewhat troubling seasons last time round, but this year they've been in fantastic form, comfortably nestled in the top half of the table and pushing for the European places.

Team news for today's game are filtering through...

WEST HAM STARTING XI: Adrian, Jenkinson, Cresswell, Tomkins, Collins, Noble, Kouyate, Downing, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Carroll

NEWCASTLE STARTING XI: Elliott, Janmaat, Haidara, Williamson, Dummett, Colback, Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko, Ameobi, Ayoze

WEST HAM SUBSTITUTES: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Nolan, Vaz Te, Zarate, Cole

NEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTES: Alnwick, Anita, Cisse, Cabella, S.Taylor, Riviere, Armstrong

So both sides make three changes to their starting lineups. The hosts see Cheikhou Kouyate, Stewart Downing and Matt Jarvis come in for Winston Reid, Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole, while the visitors see Rob Elliott, Cheik Tiote and Yoan Gouffran replace Tim Krul, Ryan Taylor and Remy Cabella.

As I was saying, both the Hammers and the Magpies have been in scintillating form this season. Sam Allardyce's charges have found themselves in sixth place following three wins in four league matches at home, while their defeat by Everton last weekend was their first in six league games.

Meanwhile, Alan Pardew appeared all but certain to be handed his P45 at St James' Park a few months back, but now Newcastle are all the way up in the top five of the table following a stunning turn of form. Their five straight victories in the Premier League is the best run by any club this season.

This was the scenario just a few months back. I doubt that many Newcastle fans are calling for his sacking now.

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HEAD-TO-HEAD: The Magpies have had the better of things against West Ham in recent years. They are unbeaten in their last three visits to Upton Park, while the Hammers have only won one of their previous eight meetings with Newcastle in East London, drawing three and losing four.

In all fairness, however, today's game will be a hard one to call. In all seriousness, who could have predicted that this would be a top six clash a few months back?

PUNDIT TIME! Let's see what the chaps at Sports Mole HQ have to say about today's game.

Today will also see Andy Carroll start for the Hammers against his former side. Pardew has made no secret of the fact that he would like to see the England man return to St James' Park in the future, telling reporters: "I think he would [want to come back one day], and I hope he does come back to his hometown. He has got that love here."

In other news, Mark Noble is set to become West Ham's record appearance holder today, surpassing Steve Potts's record by playing his 205th game in a Hammers shirt. Well done that man, it's a great achievement by anyone's standards.

RECORD: Here's a selection of pics from Nobes' Premier League appearances from down the years. #WHUFC #COYI pic.twitter.com/p1Rw9aYpNT — West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) November 29, 2014

Now for some more statistics - the Hammers have only kept two clean sheets this season, although both were at Upton Park. Meanwhile, Newcastle's current winning run has seen them concede just one goal.

PREDICTION: With just ten minutes left until kickoff, I'll give my prediction for the game. I reckon both sides will be evenly matched and will play out a 1-1 draw.

Just to remember how far both these two sides have come in recent weeks...

Liverpool and Manchester City have already been put to the sword by West Ham at Upton Park this season, while last week's defeat to Everton had a touch of controversy regarding the first goal.

For the Magpies, the last time they recorded six straight Premier League wins was in April 2012, and they are now looking for a third straight league victory away from home - something they last achieved in the Premier League in December 2001, when they were top of the Premier League table.

The teams are now coming out of the tunnel, not long to go now! The Hammers fans are singing Forever Blowing Bubbles, great atmosphere.

KICKOFF! We are underway here at Upton Park! West Ham kick-off and will be attacking the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand end. Mike Dean is today's referee, and both sides are wearing their home strips.

The visitors are passing the ball with confidence about the pitch, before a careless pass allows Cresswell to clear.

CHANCE! And the game's first effort falls to Newcastle, with Gouffran sneaking in behind Tomkins and crossing low for Perez, but the Spaniard fired his shot wide. Positive start from Pardew's side.

More pressure by the Magpies as Sissoko gets to the byline and cuts the ball back, but Kouyate is there to clear any impending danger.

CHANCE! Now the hosts begin to threaten. Carroll flicks the ball on for Jarvis, who manages to hold off Janmaat. It falls to Downing who then fires a low shot which Elliot saves.

West Ham appear to have settled more into the game as they enjoy a spell of possession, though they're not quite able to penetrate the Newcastle defence.

After the lively first few minutes, both teams are now playing a more tentative, probing game.

West Ham push forward again as Carroll heads the ball on for Downing to cross in a good position, but Dummett is there to clear.

Carroll is flagged offside while bearing down on his former side's goal, but Elliot is nonetheless able to save.

The game is hotting up again. West Ham's Kouyate pushes forward on the counter-attack, but loses his footing and slices his cross behind, while at the other end, Newcastle's Haidara lashes a cross into the box that the hosts are forced to nervously clear.

The Newcastle fans pay tribute to John Alder and Liam Sweeney - who died in the MH17 air disaster - with a minute's applause. Touching gesture.

YELLOW CARD: Williamson is the first player booked after a foul to halt the run of Jarvis.

A free kick is awarded to the Hammers following by Tiote on Kouyate. No booking though.

Newcastle haven't seen much possession in the last few minutes, but they regain the ball and give Haidara the chance to get the ball on the overlap down the left. Amalfitano deals with the danger though.

Now West Ham push forward again, but Downing's cross is dealt with by Williamson. Quite a nervy game thus far, save those few chances early on.

Newcastle have a chance to threaten, but Colback's through ball for Perez is a bit too heavy.

We've just about reached the half-hour mark here at Upton Park and there's little to write home about so far, with both sides probing up front but their defences switched on and watertight.

Tomkins comes to the rescue as he steals the ball off Perez as the Spaniard enters the penalty area. Still fairly cagey affair.

The assistant flags for a pull on Sissoko's shirt, and from the ensuing free kick, Carroll kicks Tomkins in the face as he clears. That looked painful. The West Ham man is now receiving treatment.

CHANCE! After the majority of the first half proved bereft of chances, Perez manages to flick the ball goalwards following Ameobi's cross, but it sails harmlessly into the side netting.

CHANCES! Carroll's effort appears to hit Williamson's arm, prompting the striker to ask for a penalty. Not given though. Moments later, Carroll gets into the box but heads wide.

West Ham under the cosh in these final stages of the first half. Can Newcastle draw first blood or will it be goalless at the break? Just a few minutes plus any injury time.

CHANCE! The Magpies keep threatening, with Ameobi striking an effort from the edge of the box, but it curves well wide of the post.

Just one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

So at the break, it's goalless at Upton Park. A mostly cagey affair in the first 45 minutes, with a couple of half-decent chances punctuating the game. Also a bit of a penalty shout in the latter stages that was waved away by the referee.

Williamson was around a yard away from Carroll, and his hands appeared to be in a natural position, but some will argue that a penalty should have been awarded nonetheless. Hard one to call to be fair.

So with Mark Noble getting onto the pitch today and making his 205th Premier League appearance, he is now confirmed as West Ham's record appearance holder. A notable achievement with a club rich in history and tradition.

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Newcastle have only just edged possession in the first half, with 52 percent to West Ham's 48 percent, but in terms of efforts on goal, both have three. The Hammers managed to get one of these on target, while Newcastle had none, and neither side was able to win a corner. Stats that reflect how cagey and tense it's been, and how evenly matched both sides were.

Not long now until the second half is underway, and we'll be hoping for a little more action.

KICKOFF! Newcastle get the game back underway, with the sun now beginning to set on Upton Park.

Some early probing here as a cross from Jenkinson is headed away by Dummett. Kouyate then nods the ball into the box, but the Magpies manage to clear.

CHANCE! Perez weaves his way into the Hammers box but Collins thwarts him, and from the counter-attack, Downing cuts inside and fires over. A nice lively start.

At the other end, Colback decides to try an audacious shot from 30 yards, but it flies well over the crossbar.

Cresswell, who stood out in the first half, is fouled about 40 yards from goal. From the set piece, Noble goes on the left-back, but his subsequent cross proves too deep and bounces out of play.

CHANCE! Carroll and Downing combine to set Cresswell on his way to goal, but his shot flies wide. Positive start from the Hammers here.

BOOKING: Colback is booked after holding back Kouyate.

It's first blood to the Hammers following an explosive period of football, and no less than what Cresswell deserves after being so lively today! Kouyate scuffs the ball into the path of the attacking left-back, who runs in and smashes the ball past Elliot much to the delight of the home crowd. That's his first goal for the Hammers too.

How lucky was that from Kouyate! Downing's initial ball was poor, but the West Ham man miskicked to set up Cresswell rather perfectly.

Just prior to the goal, Elliott was called into action to pull off a good save from Collins, and the hosts put some good pressure on the Magpies, who eventually caved in.

CHANCE! From a tight angle, Perez sneaks in and drills low at Adrian, the Hammers goalkeeper gathering with ease.

West Ham buoyed after that goal, and are now asserting their dominance on the game. Collins makes a stunning tackle on Perez, timed to perfection. Newcastle are a bit haphazard at the moment.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Two changes for Newcastle as Tiote, the captain, comes off for Papiss Cisse, while Gouffran is replaced by Remy Cabella.

BOOKING: A yellow is shown to West Ham appearance record holder Noble as he tugs at Cabella. From the resulting set piece, Ameobi drives the free-kick wide.

SUBSTITUTION: West Ham make a change as Mauro Zarate replaces Matt Jarvis.

Carroll flicks the ball on following his goalkeeper's clearance, but Zarate cannot get onto it as Elliot collects.

SUBSTITUTION: Another change from the visitors as Steven Taylor replaces Daryl Janmaat. They have 15 minutes to salvage something from this game.

BOOKING: The frustration is really beginning to show on the Newcastle players, as Sissoko pushes Tomkins to the ground, is penalised, then angrily kicks the ball 50 yards up the pitch. He is shown a yellow for his troubles.

RED CARD! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Moments after Sissoko is booked for the petulant act of kicking the ball away, he is shown a second yellow for clashing with Carroll, and the Frenchman walks! His manager will be seething, I'm sure!

BOOKING: Tempers are beginning to boil over here at the Boleyn Ground as Amalfitano is booked for a challenge on Haidara.

What a silly display from Sissoko there. He has cost his team, I'm sure.

CHANCES! It's most likely going to be a case of damage limitation for the beleaguered Magpies in these final ten or so minutes, as Carroll threatens his old club twice, first forcing a save from Elliott and then needing a block from Taylor.

SUBSTITUTION: For the hosts, Kouyate comes off to be replaced by Kevin Nolan for the final six or so minutes.

CHANCE! Dangerous break by the home side Zarate as threads a ball through to Downing, whose cross for Carroll is scrambled behind.

BOOKING/CHANCE! Zarate is certainly getting involved here. First he gets booked for a foul on Perez, then he lashes a dangerous rising shot which forces an acrobatic save from Elliot. Will Newcastle be able to stem this siege?

Another Newcastle player makes a mistake, this time up front as Ameobi bears down on goal but holds possession for too long, allowing the Hammers to get defenders back. The referee then indicates four minutes of added time.

CHANCE! Not a very good one, mind. And Newcastle will be eager to see out this game because they've pretty much collapsed. Adrian finds himself off his line but Cisse fires well wide from quite a long way out.

And Mike Dean blows the whistle on an encounter which reached a climactic conclusion right into the final stages! Newcastle came close to pulling it back right at the death when a low cross into the corner was desperately hacked out for a corner, and despite Zarate's mistake and Elliot pushing forward, they just couldn't do it!

So the Hammers go back up to fifth in the Premier League table above Newcastle, thanks to Aaron Cresswell's first goal for the club. In all fairness though, the Magpies contributed to their own downfall, Sissoko's actions in getting himself two yellow cards in the space of a minute killing off any hopes of his side successfully mounting a comeback.

Well, that is all we have time for, but don't go anywhere! Sports Mole is on hand to provide you with a detailed match analysis and ratings of each player who took part today at Upton Park, and you can read up about how the other teams in the Premier League got on. Thank you very much for following us, and enjoy the rest of your day!