West Ham boss Graham Potter insists Newcastle’s winner should have been RULED OUT

West Ham boss Graham Potter told BBC Sport: “It ebbed and flowed a bit. We had a good start and they came back into it. Then we had some good opportunities. There wasn’t much in it. We didn’t do enough to win the game but we could have got something out of it.

“The goal was disappointing, we felt there was a push on Max.

“It’s two hands on the back. It’s a push. You can see from Isak’s non celebration he thinks it’s a push. Clear for us but I’m not VAR.

“We were playing against a really physical man-to-man defence. The players were doing their best. We’d like things to be more progressive but you have to credit the opposition.

“It just wasn’t our day today. We had some opportunities. We had our moments, we could have been better with the ball.

“You have to look at what the situation was. We were conceding a lot of goals. We tied to stabilise things. Overall the attitude and commitment was really strong. We just need to carry on improving our attacking play. It’s not easy to do it at mid-season but I’m sure pretty confident we can turn it around.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told BBC Sport: “One of our best wins of the season, not in terms of performance but desire and heart.

“All the big ingredients you need to be a successful team. Need to win when the game is tight and find a way to get over the line. We defended really well after the first three minutes which were a bit scary. Deserved win.

“That’s why for me it was such a good win, it would be easy for the players to be distracted but they were present.

“Harvey did very well today. Lovely cross. Tino looked good at left-back.

“We’ll focus fully on Liverpool now. We’ll take everything into consideration.

“I felt we were in need of a win to go into the final with a real boost and lift. Will do us the world of good. Also for our league table position today was vital.

“Touch wood [no new injuries]. Fingers crossed we are.”

On whether he’s glad he can focus on the final now: “Yes. These games, we learned this last time can be quite a long wait, everyone talking about it but you have massive games ahead. Pleased it’s here, hopefully we can perform well.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: “Really pleased. That was a hard-fought win for us based on good defensive work from the team.

“I thought we played well and had the better chances in the game.

“Harvey Barnes had his moments. He is capable of those decisive moments in the attacking third.

“It is a big pitch here and a lot of work to get through – delighted with the clean sheet.”

On Sunday’s League Cup final: “The only focus was on today. Of course, the players will have Sunday on their mind. We have a clean bill of health – touch wood.”

On starting Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka on Sunday: “Difficult call, but it is not the only one.

“The goalkeeper situation has not been clear as both goalkeepers have been high-class.

“I was pleased with Nick [Pope] today.

“Everyone has to be ready. We need the whole squad focused on Sunday.

“You look for the best man for the job. You take form, training and everything into consideration. Tough calls to make.”

“His assist for the goal was a top quality cross”

Eddie Howe says he is ‘really pleased’ for Harvey Barnes 👏 pic.twitter.com/PhUIbMko3e

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 10, 2025

West Ham centre-back Max Kilman, speaking to Sky Sports about possibly being fouled in the build-up to Newcastle’s goal: “100%.

“I jumped in the air and I felt a hard push. I felt like it was a foul and I felt like it should have been given.

“Of course, we had chances after that so it is hard to take – we have got to move on.”

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, speaking to Sky Sports: “Massive win, I think we want to fight for the Champions League again. It was a big win for us.

“Good to keep the clean sheet. Get the confidence back before the final. Massive win and happy for the team’s performance.

“When we play like that, we show the character of the team. We can beat any team in the world. We just have to be consistent. We keep the clean sheet, we could score more goals, but the most important thing is the three points tonight.”

On playing more forward: “The gaffer has given me more freedom to be in the box. Today it was a good goal. We worked that hard, and we have seen some videos of them struggling with some crosses.”

On the League Cup final: “I think it is massive for the club’s history, and we want to be part of it. We know were going to play against one of the best teams.

“Hopefully we can go to Wembley and get the title [League Cup].”

“We have seen people – doubters. We are focusing on ourselves. Missing Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman is not good for us, but to have players who can play well. Today we showed we have a strong squad.”

“I believe that we can win. A final everything could happen. I believe our fans can make a difference for us. For us, it is like the World Cup. We want to make history for this club. It is a long time for the fans without a trophy.

“Isak at the moment, is the best striker in the world. Our midfield has been our strength.”

Twitter users reacted as West Ham boss Graham Potter insists Newcastle’s winner should have been RULED OUT…

@MadGeordie3:
Wasn’t a foul
Tried to play the referee and I’m glad the officials seen through it
Yes Isak touched him on the back but was never a foul
Killman bottled it try play for foul instead going for the header
Seen it so many times
Deserved Newcastle win tonight

@darren5534: That was a push in the back! FFS 💜⚒️

@SirMonkeySuit: “felt a hard push, I’m an honest player”. Pal, you are a massive physical CB and you are claiming Isak gave you a hard push? We saw the replay, there was hands on your back but no force at all applied at all.

@W1zardOz: How is this goal allowed? Blatant push on Kilman. Corrupt officials once again.

@GearsAndTears: He got under the flight of the ball, felt Isak put his hands on his back and took a dive. Absolute fanny

@NUFCIrving1010: Incredibly soft. Never a foul

@Ben_woodward9: He backed into Isak he put his hands up so he threw himself to the floor!

@AndrewKane221: Another goal at LS where Isak is allowed to shove a defender in the back.

@BurkosWHU: So you can just push players from getting a head on the ball now yeah? @FA_PGMOL slags

@WHU99: Iask push kilman ref ignored it where is fuck VAR??! 😡😡

@northwesthammer: So apparently you’re allowed to shove someone on the back to stop them heading the ball. 🙄 Blatant foul by Isak on Kilman. 😤

@ShiyamHussain: How is that not a foul on Kilman by Isak?? Is pushing someone in the back with both hands while they are jumping subject to interpretation?? Come on, this is getting ridiculous.

@A_A_L_1986: Isak pushing Kilman no?! OK thats how it is then @FA_PGMOL