West Ham United manager David Moyes has labelled Newcastle United as "one of the best teams in Europe" ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash at the London Stadium.
The Magpies have enjoyed a meteoric rise since the Saudi-backed takeover of the club was completed almost two years ago, and they successfully qualified for the Champions League courtesy of a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.
Now competing in Europe's premier club competition for the first time in two decades, Eddie Howe's side have picked up four points from their opening two group games, with a 0-0 draw at AC Milan followed by Wednesday's famous 4-1 home triumph over Paris Saint-Germain.
Newcastle have also impressed in the Premier League this term despite a difficult start, as they have won each of their last three matches, including a thumping 8-0 victory over Sheffield United, to move them to within three points of the top four.
West Ham have failed to win each of their last three meetings with the Magpies including a heavy 5-1 home defeat to Howe's men in April, and Moyes is wary of the challenge that lies ahead for his Hammers side on Sunday.
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"Newcastle had a night in Europe which will be remembered for so long," Moyes said at a press conference on Friday. "We had a great night here, a few years ago against Sevilla when we won in extra time to get through.
"There are nights in European football in the club's history which you always remember. And I think Newcastle will always remember the night they had against PSG.
"I think they are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. They have got so much quality on their side and their manager has done a good job at a club that was unsure of what direction they were going to go.
"Obviously, they have had help from the new owners, but I have got to say the manager has steered them into a good organisation and shape. And I think they are up with some of the top teams in Europe at the moment."
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Moyes believes that West Ham, who celebrated winning the Europa Conference League last season, have the potential to reach new heights in years to come and is confident that the club is heading in the right direction.
"When I came in, I saw West Ham as a club with a huge potential for growth," said the Scotsman. "I was very fortunate to see some big clubs and be at some clubs for some long periods and I really thought West Ham had a very big opportunity to grow and get better, and I believe we are.
"I think three years in a row with European football had not been done before. I think getting to a final and a semi-final the year before, even finishing in European positions and challenging near the top of the league is a really big thing.
Moyes has confirmed that the fitness of Michail Antonio will be assessed ahead of kickoff after the striker missed the 2-1 Europa League win against Freiburg in Germany on Thursday night.
The Hammers currently sit seventh in the Premier League table after seven matches, one place and one point above Sunday's opponents Newcastle.
Oliver Thomas
