Newcastle are set for a lucky escape against West Ham tonight after £38m player’s St James’ Park snub.
Newcastle United will not face a full strength West Ham United at St James’ Park tonight.
The Magpies will have to make a change to their side due to suspension, with Lloyd Kelly set to replace Dan Burn at centre-back. However, that is Newcastle’s only predicted change.
Being without Burn is a blow, but Newcastle United should be able to cope. Kelly is more than capable of stepping up and performing well, as he aims to prove he should be playing much more.
As for West Ham, they have their own suspension concerns.
West Ham without Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United clashes with Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC a…
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
For the fourth consecutive game, West Ham are going to be without Mohammed Kudus at St James’ Park.
The Ghanaian attacker is serving the fourth game of his five-match suspension, having had his ban extended after receiving a red card during a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Kudus was initially given a three-match ban after an altercation with Micky van de Ven and Pape Matar Sar. However, the FA then decided to extend his ban.
That is a blow for the Hammers, as Kudus is one of their best players.
Kudus tormented Newcastle United last season
For Newcastle United, it is certainly a bonus.
That is because Kudus scored in both games against Newcastle United last season.
He netted West Ham’s equaliser at the London Stadium in October 2023. That was actually Kudus’ first Premier League goal, as he enjoyed an impressive debut season in England after his £38million arrival from Ajax.
Kudus then scored against Newcastle United again, putting the Hammers 2-1 up at St James’ Park in controversial fashion. Eddie Howe’s players felt that the goal should not have stood, as Fabian Schar had gone down in the build-up and appeared to have a head injury.
There was then further controversy, as Kudus went off to celebrate. The Newcastle United ball boy refused to give Kudus his seat, as he attempted to do his trademark celebration. Kudus was snubbed by the little lad, and was forced to improvise in front of an angry St James’ Park crowd.
Luckily for Newcastle, they came from behind to in 4-3, with Harvey Barnes scoring twice off the bench.
Toon fans would love similar scenes tonight, as Eddie Howe’s side prepare to take on a West Ham team that will definitely not include Mohammed Kudus.
