Alan Shearer didn’t hold back after watching Newcastle United collapse to another miserable Premier League defeat away from home.
The Magpies were outplayed and outfought at the London Stadium, losing 3-1 to West Ham United in what many fans and pundits described as their worst performance of the season. For a side that has been praised for its energy, structure, and intensity under Eddie Howe, this was a night where everything seemed to fall apart.
From the first whistle, Newcastle looked flat and unconvincing. They started brightly when Jacob Murphy opened the scoring with a well-taken goal, giving supporters hope that an overdue away win might finally arrive.
But that optimism quickly vanished as West Ham took control of the game. Lucas Paquetá levelled the score before a Sven Botman own goal and a late Tomas Soucek finish sealed the result for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, earning him his first victory as West Ham boss.
After the final whistle, frustration was written all over Eddie Howe’s face. The manager’s post-match comments made it clear he was disappointed by the lack of fight and focus from his players.
Yet it was club legend Alan Shearer who summed up the mood best. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer described Newcastle’s performance as “rotten” a harsh but honest verdict from someone who knows the standards expected at the club.
“Seriously, how bad were Newcastle?” Shearer said bluntly. “They were rotten. They were awful. It’s as bad as I can remember under Eddie Howe for a long time. They were lazy. They were lethargic. They had no energy. Other than maybe Murphy, who scored the goal, there was not one player that could come off that pitch and say, ‘I did alright today.’ Every single one of them, from the goalkeeper to the centre-forward, was terrible and got what they deserved. West Ham were the best team by a mile.”
Shearer’s words cut deep because they reflected what most Newcastle supporters were already thinking. The energy, hunger, and determination that defined last season’s success were nowhere to be seen. Instead, Newcastle looked like a shadow of themselves slow in possession, poor defensively, and wasteful in attack.
The result extended their winless run away from home in the Premier League, a streak that is beginning to seriously undermine their top-six ambitions.
The only bright spot on an otherwise dreadful afternoon was Jacob Murphy. The winger once again proved to be one of Newcastle’s few reliable attacking outlets.
His goal against West Ham means he has now found the net in back-to-back Premier League games, adding to what has been a very productive start to the season.
With two goals and three assists in his first 11 appearances, Murphy has already been directly involved in five goals this campaign. His consistency and work rate have made him one of Eddie Howe’s most dependable performers.
Murphy’s resurgence is particularly impressive given the competition he faces for his place. Newcastle spent £55 million to bring in Anthony Elanga during the summer, a signing that could have easily pushed Murphy to the fringes of the squad.
Instead, he has responded with determination and quality, refusing to give up his spot. His sharp movement, creativity, and improved finishing have made him a key figure in Newcastle’s attacking setup, even when the team struggles collectively.
Last season, Murphy contributed an impressive 23 goal involvements across all competitions a total he now looks capable of surpassing if he maintains his current form.
While the rest of the squad looked lost at the London Stadium, Murphy continued to show drive and professionalism, traits that clearly stood out to Shearer amid the chaos.
Newcastle’s defeat at West Ham will serve as a harsh reminder that consistency remains their biggest challenge. The Magpies are capable of brilliance one week and complete collapse the next, especially away from St James’ Park.
Howe will need to address these mental lapses and tactical shortcomings quickly if Newcastle are to stay in the hunt for European qualification.
For now, the only player who can hold his head high is Jacob Murphy a man whose hard work, focus, and persistence continue to shine through, even on Newcastle’s darkest days.
As Shearer rightly pointed out, when almost everyone else fell short, Murphy was the one who stood up, proving once again why he remains an essential part of Eddie Howe’s plans.
