Newcastle United got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory against West Ham United at Upton Park this afternoon.
The Hammers started well, but were soon behind as Yohan Cabaye found the bottom corner with a smart shot.
That lead was doubled with half an hour played when Loic Remy poked the ball in.
A Mike Williamson own goal just before half time gave the home side hope, but a late Cabaye free kick secured the win for the Magpies.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Hello and welcome to our live text coverage of West Ham United vs. Newcastle United this afternoon. Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew are up against their former clubs, but the connections don't end there. We'll talk more about that in a moment, but we have some early team news just in.
WEST HAM UNITED: Adrian; Johnson, Collins, Rat, Taylor; Collison, Noble , Jarvis, Diame, Downing; C.Cole
SUBS: Jaaskelainen, Carroll, Maiga, Morrison, Diarra, J.Cole, Chambers
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Krul; Santon, Williamson, S.Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa; Tiote, Anita, Cabaye; Sissoko, Remy, Gouffran
SUBS: Elliot, Haidara, Dummett, Obertan, Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Cisse
The big news for West Ham is that former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is again on the bench, with Carlton Cole chosen to start in attack. The away side are still without captain Fabricio Coloccini due to a knee injury, while full-back Mathieu Debuchy serves the final game of a three-match ban.
As mentioned in the introduction above, this is West Ham's first home match in 2014. They have played four consecutive away matches, losing at Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.
But, they secured a crucial win against Cardiff City last weekend, which was a huge boost to their survival hopes.
Carlton Cole and Mark Noble scored the goals as the Hammers won their first league game in eight. Andy Carroll also came off the bench for his first appearance of the campaign following a foot injury, so it was a thoroughly good day for Sam Allardyce.
Importantly, the win moved the Hammers out of the relegation zone, although it is extremely tight at the bottom of the table.
Allardyce was in charge of Newcastle United between May 2007 and January 2008, but it was an unhappy time for the manager. However, I think it's safe to assume that he has moved on since then, and three points are more important than revenge.
One man who is desperate to avoid relegation is Mark Noble, who spoke earlier this week. He told Sky Sports News: "I've played in the Championship. I don't want to play there again for West Ham. It is a big club. But over the years, it has had a lot ups and downs. So there is a lot of pressure with the fans. They are an unbelievable bunch, they will let you know if they think you're not pulling your weight."
Noble also added that Carroll's return from injury could be key. "Some of Andy's touches when he came on last weekend were a bit rusty - he'd say that himself. But he made an impact and set up my goal with a lovely pass. He showed what we have missed. If Andy comes back and scores goals now, there will be no pressure on him at all. I'm sure he can do that," he said.
Before we take a closer look at Newcastle, let's analyse some of the background between these two.
They first met in 1908 at St James' Park, with the Magpies emerging as 2-0 winners of an FA Cup second round tie. The Hammers had a very poor away record against Newcastle, with no win in their first 17 attempts. That changed with a 3-2 Second Division victory in 1947.
West Ham's largest victory at St James' Park came in 1998 as goals from Ian Wright and Trevor Sinclair secured a 3-0 win.
Apart from Allardyce and Pardew, there are various others who have represented both clubs. Kevin Nolan scored 30 goals in 91 appearances for Newcastle between January 2009 and May 2011, while Carroll was born in Gateshead and scored 33 goals in 91 games before joining Liverpool.
Others who have played for both include the likes of Demba Ba, Craig Bellamy, Lee Bowyer, Kieron Dyer, Nolberto Solano, Scott Parker and Stuart Pearce.
So, what's the situation at Newcastle? Well, they have lost three Premier League matches in a row, but there's no doubt that it's been a very successful season so far.
Much of their week has been filled with reports of Pardew's touchline rant at Manuel Pellegrini. However, today sees Pardew return to a club he took to the FA Cup final, where they lost to Liverpool.
Speaking during the week, Pardew urged his players to use their frustration at last week's disallowed goal against Manchester City in a positive manner against the Hammers. "It was so disappointing for our players," Pardew told the Sunderland Echo. "But we now look to West Ham. We know it’s a tough game, and we've got to be ready."
However, Tim Krul believes that they need to start picking up points soon, or risk throwing away their hard work so far this season. "We have worked hard to get to where we are now and we cannot let it slip," he told Chronicle Live. "There is still a long way to go and a lot of points to be won but also if you aren't careful – a lot of points to be lost."
REF WATCH: Today's ref is Andre Marriner, who last took charge of a West Ham game when he refereed the 0-0 draw with Sunderland in December.
PREDICTION: With neither side in great form, I'm not expecting a classic, but I think that Newcastle will be too strong in attack. 2-0 to the away side.
The players are out on the pitch, and we're just moments away from kickoff.
PIC: The Hammers get ready for Newcastle! #WHULIVE pic.twitter.com/36TQMiYOoE
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) January 18, 2014
KICKOFF! We're underway at Upton Park!
Positive start by West Ham. They win an early corner, which is cleared, but the ball comes back to Matthew Jarvis, who manages to beat a defender before sending in a poor cross.
Newcastle are yet to threaten the home goal. Pardew is on the touchline with his pad in hand, making a few early notes. Now West Ham win a throw in.
More good play, and this time it's Stewart Downing who sends in a good cross with his weaker right foot. Diame attacks it and goes to ground, but Marriner isn't interested and Newcastle win it back.
With seven minutes played it's West Ham who are on top. The away side are yet to create anything in the final third, and their passing is scrappy.
CHANCE! The commentator's curse strikes again! Cabaye plays a long ball over the top and Remy beats two West Ham defenders to the ball. He takes a couple of touches before firing in a shot from inside the box. It gets a slight deflection off Roger Johnson and goes wide, but a goal kick is given. Almost 1-0 to the Magpies.
Newcastle have seen more of the ball in the last few minutes, and Davide Santon has just fired a long-range shot wide of the post.
SAVE! Another chance for Remy as he comes deep to collect the ball before hitting a left-footed shot at goal. It's straight at Adrian, however, who makes a comfortable save.
WIDE! Good play from Cole sets up Jarvis, who delivers a great cross to the near post. Matthew Taylor arrives but heads wide.
GOAL! WEST HAM UNITED 0-1 NEWCASTLE UNITED (Cabaye)
It's 1-0 to the visitors and what a lovely goal it is. Yoan Gouffran has the ball on the edge of the box and finds Cabaye, who takes a touch before side-footing the ball into the bottom corner.
CHANCES! These are worrying moments for West Ham. Newcastle are searching for a second already! Gouffran has a shot blocked by Collins, before a corner causes havoc in the Hammers box. Adrian just about gets it away.
Now it's Newcastle's turn to panic in defence. They need two attempts to get it out after Cole had held the ball up waiting for support.
SAVE! It really should be 2-0 to the away side! Again West Ham switch off at the back and Sissoko has plenty of space to finish, but his curling effort is saved by Adrian at the second attempt.
WIDE! West Ham are living dangerously now. Yohan Cabaye has shown real quality in the middle of the park, and this time he evades a challenge before sending a dipping shot inches wide of the post.
Remy has a nasty cut on his face and needs to go off for treatment. I think he sustained the injury in a challenge with Taylor.
The striker is back on the pitch, but now has a different shirt number! Instead of 14, he's wearing the number 5.
CHANCE! A long ball is played up from the back and Downing has a chance for a volley, but it lacks power and is easy for Krul.
Newcastle are using the width of the pitch to good effect and West Ham are struggling to find their rhythm. At the moment the Magpies look the more likely to score.
GOAL! WEST HAM UNITED 0-2 NEWCASTLE UNITED (Remy)
And there it is! Newcastle are 2-0 ahead and Pardew is understandably delighted in the dugout. Matt Taylor completely misjudges Sissoko's cross and Remy controls on his chest before poking the ball past Adrian.
SAVE! Cabaye again shows his skill, hitting a powerful shot that Adrian does well to keep out. Is it game over already?
West Ham have responded well, but they are yet to create a clear opening. A cross comes in, but Cole can't reach it and it drifts behind for a goal kick.
Sissoko has far too much room down the left and finds Tiote on the edge of the box. The midfielder takes a touch and shoots, but his effort is blocked and goes out for a corner, which is cleared.
Matt Taylor has looked uncomfortable at right-back, which isn't his usual position. Maybe Allardyce will consider a change at half time?
CHANCE! Newcastle are completely dominant now, and West Ham are suffering. Vurnon Anita finds Remy, but he can't control his shot and it goes well wide.
GOAL! WEST HAM UNITED 1-2 NEWCASTLE UNITED (Williamson OG)
Hope for the Hammers, who have a goal from nowhere! Carlton Cole bundles it in from a long ball, but I think the final touch might have been off Michael Williamson. Pardew will be very unhappy to concede so late in the first half.
HALF TIME: WEST HAM UNITED 1-2 NEWCASTLE UNITED
It looked very comfortable for Newcastle seconds before that goal, but West Ham have found a lifeline and now it is very much game on at Upton Park.
Before that, however, the Hammers had failed to test the Newcastle defence and looked short of ideas in the final third. Allardyce has Morrison, Maiga and Carroll on the bench, and I'd expect to see at least one of them in the second half.
STATS: Newcastle had 10 shots in that first half, with five on target. They also had 55% of possession, while West Ham managed six shots and two on target.
West Ham's goal has gone down as a Williamson own goal as he got the last touch as he challenged with Cole #WHUNEW
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 18, 2014
KICKOFF! The second half is underway and Ravel Morrison has come on to replace Jack Collison.
GREAT SAVE! Again West Ham are opened up too easily and it's an excellent save to keep it at 2-1! Remy moves with the ball and has time to pick his spot, but his angled drive is pushed away by Adrian.
Apparently Carroll has left his seat in the home dugout and won't be playing any part in this game. I'll keep you posted when I know more.
Now then, West Ham have a free kick on the edge of the box after Downing tangles with Santon.
CLOSE! James Collins gets up highest but his header back across goal doesn't test Krul. A decent opportunity there for the defender.
Wait a second, Carroll is running up and down the touchline, applauding the home fans. He's warming up now, so we might see him on the pitch soon.
GREAT CHANCE! Oh dear Carlton Cole! What a miss by the striker! It really should be 2-2 here at Upton Park, but Cole manages to divert the ball wide with just the goalkeeper to beat after Taylor had found him with a great cross to the six-yard box.
The home side are playing with an urgency that was missing for most of the first half, and the fans are responding. Newcastle need to get on the ball, but they are finding it hard at the moment.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Vurnon Anita is replaced by Shola Ameobi.
WEST HAM SUB: Here comes the big man. Andy Carroll replaces Mohamed Diame and gets a brilliant reception from the home fans.
Carroll is about to pounce on the ball in the six-yard box, but Yanga-Mbiwa denies him with a great challenge! He's on the floor now and appears to be struggling.
The Newcastle defender is back up now and it looks like he will be able to continue.
SAVE! Cabaye's ambitious effort takes a deflection and falls into the arms of Adrian, who then saves again moments later from an Ameobi shot.
I'm struggling to call this one now. West Ham have certainly shown plenty in this second half to suggest that they might get a point, but Newcastle are still dangerous on the counter.
No chances for either side in the last few minutes, but Carroll's presence in the box has made a difference.
WEST HAM SUB: Joe Cole is on for Jarvis.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Another change for the away side as Paul Dummett replaces Davide Santon.
MISS! OH!! Carroll has missed a fantastic chance for the equaliser! Newcastle fail to deal with a Downing cross and the ball falls to the West Ham striker about six yards out. However, with all of the goal to aim at, he snatches at the volley and it goes high over the bar.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Final change for Newcastle as Remy is replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa.
It's all West Ham as we enter the final 10 minutes of this Premier League match. Joe Cole is in a great position, but is wasteful in possession and fails to find a teammate. That was a decent chance to create something in the final third.
WIDE! An excellent tackle by Cabaye releases Ben Arfa, but he drags his low shot wide of the post.
Sissoko and Rat are both down hurt after an accidental collision, and both teams have already used all of their subs.
Both men are back up now and I think they are fine to continue.
Newcastle have improved in the last five minutes. West Ham look as if they have run out of ideas, but an equaliser is still possible.
The home side are pumping long balls into the box, hoping to find a flick on from Carroll, but Newcastle are defending well.
WIDE! James Collins slams a shot wide from outside the area, but the home fans raise their voices as five minutes of stoppage time is announced.
Allardyce is unhappy with something, but Newcastle have a free kick on the edge of the box. This is Cabaye territory.
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-3 NEWCASTLE (Cabaye)
Game over at Upton Park! Cabaye swings his right boot at the ball and it curls in off the post. Great goal!
FULL TIME: WEST HAM UNITED 1-3 NEWCASTLE UNITED
Another unhappy day for West Ham fans and Sam Allardyce, but they had two great chances to equalise in the second half. Overall, Newcastle were the better side and their quality in front of goal proved to be the difference.
In terms of the league table, Newcastle are eighth, five points ahead of Southampton. Meanwhile, West Ham are in deep trouble at the bottom. They are 18th, level on points with Sunderland and Cardiff below them.
That's all from me for now, but we have reaction and news to follow. Have a great evening!
