My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs West Ham (A)

Player Ratings
Tim Krul (7.5) - I thought the young Dutch keeper had a good game between the posts. Dealt superbly with corners and crosses and looked assured in goal.

Danny Simpson (7) - He was seriously troubled by Obinna in the first half but he came back and had a good second half, with Obinna being kept quiet. Due to it being his first Premier League match for us and coming off a long injury lay off, he gets a 7 rating.

Mike Williamson (7) - Should not have allowed the cross to come in for their goal, but was a towering presence thereafter and kept the West Ham attackers quiet in the second half.

Fabricio Coloccini (7) - The man who was at fault for their goal, playing the West Ham players on side, came back and like his fellow teammates had a much more solid game once we fell behind. He's calm influence seems to have rubbed off on the team.

Jose Enrique (8) - Another excellent display by Wor Jose. Heard the fans chanting his name a few times in this match and if I were there I'd be joining them.

Joey Barton (7) - I had my concerns about him playing on the right but after a poor first half he came into his own in the second half. He superbly set up the winning goal and helped us control things for the most part. Despite that poor first half, he still managed to put in the cross that led to Nolan's goal as well.

Cheik Tiote (8) - What a performance by the defensive midfielder. He won the central midfield battle and was simply like a rock. Excellent in possession, solid in the tackle and powerful as always he fully deserves the man of the match award for me.

Kevin Nolan (7.5) - I will admit I was one of the first to question the manager's decision to play Nolan in central midfield but he somehow silenced me and many others by getting the equaliser and ultimately had a good game.

Jonas Gutierrez (7) - With us playing only one natural winger, Jonas helped us go forward and was very direct. He put in another good shift.

Shola Ameobi (6) - Not his best game of the season but he did his job. He troubled West Ham at times and worked hard for the team.

Andy Carroll (7.5) - A much improved game by Carroll, who took a while to get into the match but when he did, he managed to get an assist as well as the winning goal. Made one or two great runs with the ball and looked like the Carroll at the beginning of the season again, with his confidence flowing.

Man of the Match - Cheik Tiote