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West Ham United came from behind twice to kick-start their Premier League season with a 4-2 win over Newcastle in front of more than 50,000 fans at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Encouraged by the Magpies’ first home crowd in 17 months, Newcastle got off to a good start as Callum Wilson took home the teasing delivery of Allan Saint-Maximin.
A cross from Aaron Cresswell crept in to quickly level West Ham before Jacob Murphy’s header restored Newcastle’s lead at half-time.
But David Moyes’ men showed why they finished sixth after the break last season for Tottenham and Arsenal.
Newcastle couldn’t live with the pace and inventiveness of Said Benrahma and Mikhail Antonio.
Together they tied the score again in 53 minutes when Benrahma stooped to head in Antonio’s cross.
Antonio then hit the post with a header from afar, but on the rebound Murphy tripped over Pablo Fornals in the penalty area.
On his Premier League debut, Freddie Woodman saved Antonio’s penalty, but Tomas Soucek hit the rebound to give West Ham the lead.
Three minutes later, Benrahma fed Antonio on the counter-attack and this time made no mistake with a thumping finish to level with Paolo Di Canio as West Ham’s all-time Premier League goalscorer.