West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo and Freddie Potts(Image: 2025 CameraSport)

West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo admitted their plan was to 'control' the midfield battle after they beat Newcastle United 3-1 at the London Stadium.

The Hammers secured only their second win of the season as goals from Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek and a Sven Botman own goal rendered Jacob Murphy's opening goal pointless.

The Magpies were dreadful all over the pitch but it was telling how much they struggled to dictate the game in midfield - something we have come accustomed to with the midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.

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But Nuno has revealed they specifically targeted Guimaraes and Joelinton to limit their freedom to play and praised the work of midfield duo Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts - who was making his first Premier League start - for doing just that.