Newcastle prepared for the Carabao Cup final with a victory at West Ham that moved them up to sixth in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe’s side will look to end a 70-year wait for a major trophy on Sunday when they take on Premier League leaders Liverpool at Wembley.
They went into Monday’s fixture at London Stadium desperate for a win to ensure they face the Reds with momentum, and they got it thanks to Bruno Guimaraes’ second-half strike.
Moments after Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola made a brilliant save to prevent Max Kilman scoring an own goal, Newcastle struck when Guimaraes turned in Harvey Barnes’ lofted pass.
It was just the tonic Howe’s side, hampered by injuries and suspension, needed after one win in their previous four games.
They were fortunate not to be behind inside the first minute when Tino Livramento missed a clearance and the ball went through to Tomas Soucek, but the midfielder fired over from close range.
Newcastle improved after that and twice went close to taking the lead before the break through Barnes.
The forward, making his first league start since 7 December, first turned Kieran Trippier’s low ball towards goal, but Areola reacted quickly to save before Barnes’ header drew another good save out of the West Ham goalkeeper.
After a bright start this was a disappointing performance from the Hammers as they struggled to really threaten Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal.
They had shouts for a penalty waved away in the second half when Jarrod Bowen went down inside the box under a challenge, while they also felt there should have been a foul given in the build-up to the winner for a push on Kilman.
But they ultimately did not do enough themselves to earn a point and defeat leaves them 16th in the table.
