Hapless Hammers thumped by Newcastle

WEST HAM plummeted back to the foot of the Premier League table after a five-goal thrashing at Newcastle United.

Leon Best bagged a hat-trick in his first start for the club as the Hammers undid the good work that had been achieved over the festive period to slip back down the league.

A victory for Wolves over Chelsea, as well as wins for Birmingham City and Fulham yesterday, sees Avram Grant’s side drop from 15th down to the bottom.

Best opened the scoring on 18 minutes and then converted from Peter Lovenkrands’ pass soon after. Kevin Nolan made it three, and the midfielder then laid on Best for his third.

Lovenkrands turned in Joey Barton’s cross to complete a demoralising evening for West Ham.

Just two meaningful efforts on goal were all the visitors could manage at St James’ Park, heaping the pressure back on manager Grant.