WEST HAM tasted victory at St James’s Park for just the second time in 19 years as they ran out 3-0 winners against Newcastle United on Saturday.

A brace from Mexican striker Javier Hernandez either side of half-time and a late Felipe Anderson strike did the damage. In truth it could have been more, with Manuel Pellegrini’s men purring on the counter-attack all afternoon.

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez said that Hernandez, Anderson and Marko Arnautovic proved crucial for West Ham on the day.

“It was a typical Premier League game; we had chances and didn’t take them, but West Ham’s quality made the difference,” he said.

“You see the players they have up front, the value and the level they have, that is the main thing.

“We have to improve in two ways; we must continue to work harder and better, and bring in players that can be the difference.

“Arnautovic, [Robert] Snodgrass, Anderson and Hernandez have pace and ability and they are effective on the counter attack against anyone.”

Newcastle came into the game brimming with confidence having won their last three games but, after a purposeful start, the visitors snatched the lead.

Some home fans were only just taking their seats in the 11th minute as part of a protest against “the 11 wasted years of Mike Ashley’s tenure as chairman at the club,” and they arrived just in time to see Hernandez poke the ball home from close range after a Snodgrass delivery.

Understandably, the goal knocked the Magpies and West Ham began to settle into the game. Arnautovic rounded Martin Dubravka before narrowly missing a cross by Anderson either side of two Ayoze Perez headers.

As the game reached the half hour mark, Anderson and Arnautovic combined again, though the latter couldn’t find Hernandez in the box. Perez then put a shot agonisingly wide at the other end.

Salomon Rondon had his best chance of the half in stoppage-time but he was stopped in his tracks by a brilliant last-ditch Pablo Zabaleta tackle.

West Ham continued to show their prowess on the counter after the break. Moments after Rondon saw a ferocious shot blocked, Arnautovic went through and flashed a stinging cross in, which Newcastle cleared for a corner.

The Austrian was involved in everything West Ham were doing going forward. After great link-up play with Anderson and Mark Noble, he again failed to find the killer touch. With the hour in sight, Hernandez had a great opportunity to double his side’s lead, but he shot wide when one-on-one with Dubravka.

Just five minutes later, though, he made amends by bursting through and grabbing his second of the game.

Anderson, who was absolutely superb throughout, got in on the action in stoppage-time, slotting calmly past Dubravka after cutting in from the left.

Pellegrini hailed a “complete” performance from his side.

“I’m very pleased because we played a complete game; we created chances and kept a clean sheet. Newcastle didn’t have any chances to score.”