Newcastle v West Ham

1. Newcastle XI: Elliot, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett, Colback, Shelvey, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Perez, Mitrovic.
2. West Ham XI: Adrian, Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Obiang, Payet, Valencia, Antonio.

GOAL - Newcastle 2-0 West Ham

Great defending

West Ham winger Michail Antonio's eyes light up as he sees a simple tap-in from Aaron Cresswell's low cross across the six-yard box but Magpies defender Fabricio Coloccini produces a vital interception to divert the ball over for a corner.

Here's the route Newcastle took to scoring their opener. Georginio Wijnaldum (5) was key, with Ayoze Perez (17) putting the ball in the back of the net. 

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What a start by Newcastle. They are all over the Hammers and striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has a 20-yard angled strike tipped over the bar by keeper Adrian. 

Perez makes up for miss

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Ayoze Perez wasted a chance as he had a low shot saved but he quickly atones. Magpies debutant Jonjo Shelvey finds Georginio Wijnaldum and he lays the ball off for Perez, who curls a low shot into the bottom corner.

GOAL - Newcastle 1-0 West Ham

Aleksandar Mitrovic seems up for this. He jumped the gun at the start and produces a lay-off to release Moussa Sissoko down the right.

Hammers defender James Collins senses the danger and tackles Sissoko but he could have done himself some harm as he's limping after that challenge.

And they're off...

Here we go then. The action is under way at St James' Park...

'Newcastle have really improved'

Chris Sutton

Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"In recent week Newcastle have really improved, but they need to turn these performances into wins."

Newcastle in for Townsend

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Newcastle have certainly been busy in the January transfer window and they are planning more signings.

The Magpies are in talks with Tottenham about a potential move for Spurs winger Andros Townsend. They enquired about his availability on Saturday and are now considering a permanent transfer.

Townsend, who has 10 caps for England, has found his opportunities limited at White Hart Lane this season, featuring in just eight matches.

He was dropped for a Europa League match in November after a row with Spurs fitness coach Nathan Gardiner.

'If you're approaching a girl in a nightclub...'

You've got to love Slaven Bilic. The West Ham boss' side are one point off a top four spot but are they realistic challengers for a Champions League place?

"My philosophy in life is that there is nothing wrong with being confident, optimistic or positive," says Bilic. "For me, on the contrary, you have to be like that if you want to get any chance to make it, whatever you do in your life.

"If you're approaching a girl in a nightclub and you think she's going to tell you off and all that, no chance.

"But if you are positive, you have a chance. For the Champions League, or whatever - top 10, or staying up. Sunderland believe they can stay up. You have to do it, without that there is no chance."

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'Lawro, what's the score?'

So Lawro has been getting a friendly ribbing from West Ham fans over his predictions - is that going to sway his thinking today?! Let's find out....

"After the stick I've been getting from West Ham fans over my predictions, I should probably go for them to win 8-0.

"In the past few seasons I have annoyed Southampton  and Swansea  fans by tipping them to lose, but I have never had supporters chanting my name over a prediction before, like the Hammers fans were doing at the end of their win at Bournemouth on Tuesday. 

"It is all good fun, and I am really pleased they have continued to prove me wrong."

#bbcfootball

Lawro's prediction

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson pits his wits against a different guest each week this season - but he's been annoying Hammers fans with his predictions this season (more on that in a minute...).

Twitter

Lawro's opponents for the latest round of Premier League fixtures are Creed stars Michael B Jordan & Tony Bellew.

Everton fan and professional boxer Bellew plays 'Pretty' Ricky Conlan in the film, that sees Sylvester Stallone reprise his role as former world heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa.

Balboa is trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson - played by Jordan - the son of his former rival Apollo Creed.

Lawro's full predictions v Creed stars Jordan & Bellew

View from the gantry

Conor McNamara

MOTD commentator at St James' Park

"'They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger - and it did nearly kill me.' That's how Steve McClaren recounts his duel with Slaven Bilic at Wembley in 2007.

"Croatia denied England a place at Euro 2008 and covered themselves in glory. McClaren, infamously, covered himself with a brolly.

"Newcastle secured their survival in May by beating West Ham. Now, after five games without a win, they are once again in danger of being washed away by the relegation tide.

"Regardless of the strength of downpour - whether it rains or floods - you certainly won't see McClaren reach for an umbrella during this game."

Team news

Jonjo Shelvey makes his Newcastle debut following his £12m move from Swansea as he replaces Cheick Tiote in the only change from the midweek 3-3 draw with Manchester United. Fellow new midfield arrival Henri Saivet is on the bench.

Newcastle XI: Elliot, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett, Colback, Shelvey, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Perez, Mitrovic.

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West Ham also make one change. Former Magpies striker Andy Carroll was injured during the midweek win at Bournemouth and is replaced by midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate.

West Ham XI: Adrian, Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Obiang, Payet, Valencia, Antonio.

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Play the Predictor game

#bbcfootball

Fancy yourself as a footballing version of Mystic Meg? Here's your chance to prove that you can see into the Premier League future.

You can have a guess at the scores of all 10 top-flight fixtures this weekend by playing our Predictor game.

The more successful you are, the higher up the league table your team will go - and both of your sides are desperate for a boost (albeit for different reasons).

Hammers supporters are mounting a title challenge up in third place, while Newcastle fans are scrapping about in the bottom three - just like their real-life heroes. Head over there now to help the cause.

Welcome

You couldn't blame Newcastle boss Steve McClaren welcoming West Ham counterpart Slaven Bilic with about as much joy as teenagers watching their parents turn up at a house party.

McClaren was cruelly dubbed the 'Wally with the brolly' for taking cover under an umbrella at Wembley when his England side lost to a Croatia team managed by Bilic in 2007 and failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

Bilic also emerged victorious when his West Ham side beat the Magpies in the reverse league fixture earlier this season. Can McClaren finally beat Bilic? 

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