Dimitri Payet scored twice as West Ham United eased to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United this evening.
The Frenchman broke the deadlock in the ninth minute with a curling effort that found the top corner.
Slaven Bilic's side then doubled their lead just after the break as Payet touched in from close range, after Victor Moses saw his effort come back off the bar.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the events that unfolded at Upton Park.
Match statistics
WEST HAM
Shots: 17
On target: 3
Possession: 39%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 8
NEWCASTLE
Shots: 14
On target: 4
Possession: 61%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 11
Was the result fair?
West Ham fully deserved the three points for their performance at Upton Park. They showed more attacking threat than their opponents and took the chances that came their way. Payet showed his class following his summer move, while loan signing Moses also impressed. There was little to cheer once again for the Magpies though, as they struggled to create any clear-cut chances and saw their winless run in the league continue.
West Ham's performance
There was a rather subdued atmosphere inside Upton Park at the start of the match due to problems with people getting to the ground, but Payet livened up the contest with a superb shot into the top corner that left Tim Krul with no chance. From that moment the Hammers were in control and their second goal after the break effectively killed off the tie. Bilic's side may not have seen too much of the ball throughout the evening, but they were solid at the back and constantly looked a threat on the counter due to the pace of their forward players.
Newcastle's performance
It has been a miserable start to the season for Newcastle and the Magpies slipped to the bottom of the league table following tonight's defeat. They lacked a cutting edge in the final third and rarely tested Darren Randolph in the home side's goal. Pappis Cisse looked stranded on his own up front for large spells and the changes made by Steve McClaren in the second half did little to help his side. Their defence was also exposed on a number of occasions, and already it seems as if they could be in for another relegation scrap this season.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Dimitri Payet: The France international was left out of his country's most recent squad, but he showed his quality this evening by scoring both goals. His first was a well-taken strike from the edge of the box that found the top corner, before he added a second three minutes into the second half, by slotting in after Moses had hit the bar. He was also lively throughout the match and gave the home fans plenty to cheer.
Biggest gaffe
The entire Newcastle defence must take the blame for the second goal of the evening. They allowed Moses far too much space to run in behind from the halfway line and were not quick enough to stop Payet from turning in the rebound when the ball hit the woodwork.
Referee performance
There can be no complaints about the performance from Anthony Taylor, who allowed the game to flow and made all of the right calls. He handed out just two bookings all evening and was not forced into making any controversial decisions.
What next?
West Ham: The Hammers are back in action with a clash against Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday.
Newcastle: The Magpies are also playing on Saturday and will be hoping to win their first league match of the season against Watford.
Alex Meyers
