The London Stadium was deathly quiet.
Jacob Murphy had just ruthlessly put Newcastle in front but, crucially, Eddie Howe’s side did not build on it. The leggy visitors instead allowed West Ham United back into the game.
A heavyweight midfield, who have earned so many plaudits, failed to take control of the contest. Plus countless players repeatedly made sloppy mistakes and gave the ball away.
Howe tellingly hauled off Emil Krafth, Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade at half-time, in a bid to shock his side into life, but Newcastle never truly looked like equalising in the second half, which is all the more damning given how leaky West Ham have been.
No wonder a number of Newcastle fans made a swift exit after Tomas Soucek made it 3-1 to the home side.
As strong as Newcastle have been at home in recent weeks, Howe’s side have not gone this long without a win on the road in the top flight since 2021.
This game, in particular, felt like a real missed opportunity.
On an afternoon when Newcastle could have moved within three points of champions Liverpool in the table, they instead stay in 13th place.
