A second half of mundane mediocrity was lit up by a superb winner from Newcastle's Andy Carroll, who finished his troubled week the right way.Joey Barton had earlier created Newcastle's opener and on 70 minutes he unloaded another vicious cross that made a mug of Manuel da Costa and found Newcastle's troubled No9. His header offered Robert Green no chance and secured three invaluable points to lift up the visitors seven places into ninth position.West Ham's attack had shown first in what was an entertaining opening half. Carlton Cole had West Ham's first opportunity in front of Krul's goal to evade a tackle and attempt a shot, but he was unable to create any space. Frédéric Piquionne also whipped in a cross from his wide-right berth, but there was no colleague to apply the finish.After 12 minutes this changed. Piquionne had wandered over to the left and from Mark Noble's floated pass over the Newcastle defence the French forward ran on to the ball and mistimed a shot that became a cross. This removed Tim Krul from play and Cole came sliding in to tap home his first goal of the season, 10 games and two months after its start.Cole's finish upped the Upton Park roar and placed Avram Grant's team on course for a first victory since Spurs were beaten 1-0 a month ago. But before 25 minutes had elapsed Barton, playing on the right of Newcastle's midfield, produce a curving cross towards Robert Green's goal that was the ideal fodder for Carroll.The striker, second only to Wayne Rooney in the week's football headlines due to an assault charge and the torching of his Range Rover, rose up and his awkward blend of power, height and elbows defeated Da Costa, before the striker's header found Kevin Nolan. The Newcastle captain, who is now effectively Carroll's landlord due to a court order related to the assault charge, finished neatly and it was a deserved equaliser for Chris Hughton's team.Newcastle would offer further thrusts at West Ham's goal, but it was Victor Obinna who came closest to scoring the night's third goal before half-time. The forward's pace moved him into area before a sharp cut-back into the six-yard box shaved Cole's shins before rolling to safety.Scott Parker ended the half by bisecting the Newcastle defence with a pass that took Noble in behind down the right. His cross would have been perfect for any team-mate making a late run into the area, but no one took up his offer.During the interval Grant may have told his team to play down Obinna's flank, as Danny Simpson, the Newcastle right-back, and Mike Williamson, the nearest central defender, had been made to look like pensioners by the Nigeria forward.Hughton's ploy should have been to ask his wide players, Jonás Gutiérrez – who was anonymous throughout – and Barton, to raise more high balls towards Carroll's flying ponytail.Hughton's plan worked. The 21-year-old's fifth goal of a debut Premier League season was his first since 28 August. It gave Newcastle joy for the journey home, and kept Grant's men rooted to the bottom. They walked off to boos from the Upton Park fans and the future is not looking bright.Premier LeagueWest Ham UnitedNewcastle UnitedJamie Jacksonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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