Gutierrez bursts into the box and looks set to pull the trigger as he reaches the six-yard box but a challenge comes in for a West Ham defender to knock the ball away from danger.

Boa Morte swings a free-kick into the danger area and Upson attacks the ball at the far post but Alan Wiley stops play and awards Newcastle a free-kick.

The ball flies straight back into the box but N'Zogbia doesn't make the most of the opportunity as he fails to get a shot away from a glorious opportunity.

Gutierrez reaches the byline and searches out a team-mate with a cross but West Ham scramble the ball away to safety.

Cole bursts into the Newcastle box and is through on goal before Bassong puts in a vital last ditch challenge to knock the ball behind for a corner.

A long ball bounces through to Steven Taylor who slips and leaves a gap for Cole to exploit, but he striker is offside according to the linesman.

West Ham are not rushing to get this game finished and are taking as long as possible with all set-pieces and throw-ins.

Newcastle are furious with the referee, with Taylor being penalised for a push on Collins at the near post, but Neill has a huge smile on his face as the referee has let him off the hook.

Another cross causes problems in the West Ham box and Neill attempts a clearance but the ball bounces off his shin and flies into the roof of his own net. Newcastle celebrate but Alan Wiley has blown his whistle for a foul by Steven Taylor.

A high ball comes into the West Ham box and Carroll beats Green to the ball but he fails to control his header and it spins wide of the mark.

N'Zogbia hits an ambitious shot from 25-yards out and wins a corner as it deflects off a claret and blue shirt.

Newcastle look to be cracking under the pressure from the home crowd and cannot seem to keep hold of the ball in the West Ham half.

Carroll is searched out inside the box but fails to make the most of the opportunity as he slices his left footed shot off target.

That is Cole's fourth goal in four games and the striker is in great form at the moment. West Ham have deserved that goal after the start they have made to this half but will have to keep their heads on to see the game through.

The second-half has taken off straight where the first one ended and is very open, though West Ham are looking much more of the dangerous side so far.

Collison cuts inside from the right flank and takes the ball across the edge of the box before winning a corner off the legs of Collocini.

West Ham go on the attack again and Cole lays off Noble in the box but his shot is straight at a grateful Shay Given.

Cole threads a pass through to Bellamy whose ball across the six-yard box finds Collison but his shot from close range forces a decent save out of Given.

Cole peels away from his marker and finds room for a shot on the edge of the box but his curling effort sails into the arms of Given.

Craig Bellamy bursts into the box and is brought down by Bassong but the referee waves away the protests for a penalty.

The visitors enjoy a lengthy spell of possession and Bellamy takes the ball from his own half to the Newcastle box. Eventually the ball comes out for Parker whose strike is deflected into the arms of Given.

Newcastle are bombarding West Ham with crosses but they have not made the most of the opportunities.

Mark Noble beats the offside trap but fails to get the better of Given from the one-on-one opportunity. The ball comes back for Bellamy but the angle is against the striker and his shot hits the side netting.

West Ham back off Owen again and he gets another shot away but this time he drags it wide from 25-yards.

Carroll sends an inviting ball across the face of goal but it is just too far ahead of Duff at the far post.

A cross comes in for Carroll who is bundled over in the box and appeals for a penalty, but Alan Wiley waves play on. The big striker did seem to go down rather easily.

West Ham have not won at St. James' Park in ten years and the home side have looked the stronger of the two so far.

Jose Enrique receives the ball from Carroll and fails to trouble Green with his left footed strike from a tight angle.

Geremi's free-kick rebounds into the path of Gutierrez who strikes a shot first time that hits the side netting.

Newcastle win a free-kick in a dangerous position and Geremi is lining up the shot.

Duff gets a shot away from the edge of the box but it is straight down the throat of Green.

Duff is receiving quite a lot of joy down the right flank and searches out Carroll with another cross but his glancing header misses the target.

Bellamy is caught a fraction offside again but Newcastle must be wondering whether they will eventually be made to pay for not picking up his forward runs.

The home side have to do some defending as Wes Ham win a corner but Collins' looping header causes no problems for Shay Given.

The home side have come to life since the Owen opportunity and the crowd are showing their support at the attacking football.

Ilunga loops a cross to the far post and Valon Behrami tries to cushion a header down into the path of Bellamy but Newcasle hack the ball clear.

Gutierrez eases past Lucas Neill and picks out Michael Owen in the box whose low shot across the face of goal comes back off the post.

Newcastle work a decent chance as Michael Owen threads through Duff but his first touch is poor and gives Ilunga time to put in a strong challenge.

Damien Duff tries to pick out youngster Andrew Carroll in the box but he fails to connect with the ball and James Collins clears the danger.

Bellamy is pulled back for offside for a second time and again it is a close call from the official. The striker has been unlucky with the decisions against him so far.

Bellamy latches onto a through ball and is behind the Newcastle defence but the linesman pulls play back for offside.

The Hammers have started the game brightly and Newcastle look shaky at the back. Parker tries to find room for a shot on the edge of the box but eventually the home side clear the danger.

Former Newcastle players and transfer rumour victims Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy will be the main focus of attention in today's game after receiving interest from Manchester City earlier this week.

The visitors are looking to extend their five game unbeaten run away from home today, their best run in eight years.