Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle 5 West Ham 0: Leon Best hat-trick leaves Avram Grant on the brink
West Ham boss Avram Grant is back on the brink of the sack after his side were humiliated at Newcastle.[LNB]Forget the unbeaten Christmas period and any renewed optimism for the new year, the manner of their defeat and surrender on Tyneside leaves the Israeli facing the bullet from his Upton Park bosses after just six months in charge.[LNB] Three of the Best: Leon Best put West Ham to the sword with a stunning hat-trick at St James' Park [LNB] [LNB] His side were overpowered by rampant Newcastle, whose fragile home form had given Grant hope of West Ham pulling off back-to-back away wins for his side for the first time in more than three years.[LNB]But it was a player regarded as the worst signing of Chris Hughton's reign, the man who helped convince Mike Ashley that he needed a new manager for a new transfer window, who did the most damage to Grant.[LNB]Last night, Leon Best looked more like namesake George. A year ago, the striker was signed to seal promotion from the Championship and who would be good enough to handle the top flight. Until his 18thminute opener last night, he had failed to score for the club.[LNB]So there was some surprise that Hughton's successor Alan Pardew turned to Best for his first Barclays Premier League start rather than teenager Nile Ranger in the absence of Andy Carroll and injured first-choice stand-in Shola Ameobi.[LNB] Hammer blow: Best strikes his first of the evening, squeezing his effort beyond goalkeeper Robert Green[LNB]Pardew said: 'Leon had been knocking on my door telling me he hasn't had an opportunity and he kept saying he could do it. The stats showed no assists, no goals, so I asked why should we keep him? He proved why tonight.[LNB]'He wasn't even due to start, but Shola pulled out in the morning.[LNB]'Nile needs more work, needs to understand the professionalism needed to be a Newcastle player. Leon jumped ahead of him from what I saw on the training ground and it wasn't a tough decision.'[LNB] [LNB] At the double: Best extended Newcastle's lead chips his second of the game over Green after 39 minute [LNB] [LNB] It took Best just 18 minutes to reward his manager for his faith. West Ham were caught on the counter-attack when Freddie Piquionne played an awful pass near the Newcastle penalty area to gift the hosts possession. [LNB]The loose ball was quickly launched up to Best, who played a quick one-two with strike partner Peter Lovenkrands and calmly cushioned a left-foot half-volley into Robert Green's bottom right-hand corner.[LNB]Best, who had only started six games since his move from Coventry, notched his second of the night in the 39th minute when he overpowered Danny Gabbidon. Joey Barton played a delightful reverse pass to Lovenkrands, whose low shot across the six-yard box flew into Best's path. He neatly moved the ball on to his left foot and drove the ball under Green's body.[LNB] Three and easy: Kevin Nolan enjoys the adulation of his team-mates after making it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time[LNB]Then in the final minute of the half, James Tomkins' dreadful clearance from a routine throughball was picked up by Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan just outside the area, and he effortlessly guided the ball past Green for his ninth of the season.[LNB]Best scored his hat-trick on the hour when he was given the freedom of Tyneside by his markers and allowed time to control a Nolan pass before picking his spot. Although there were complaints from the visitors that Best looked offside as he gathered the pass, there was no argument about his finish.[LNB] Sinking feeling: Troubled West Ham were woeful again as they fell to their tenth defeat of the season[LNB]Just three minutes later, and before he exited to a standing ovation, Best helped turn provider for Lovenkrands, adding a crucial flick to Barton's nearpost cross to allow his partner to score his second Premier League goal of the season.[LNB]The only setbacks for Pardew were injuries to Steven Taylor and Cheik Tiote. Like Carroll, they will be ruled out of Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie at Stevenage and doubtful for the derby re-match at Sunderland the fol lowing weekend.[LNB] Time's up: How long before West Ham co-owner David Gold wields the axe on under-fire Avram Grant?[LNB] Newcastle v West Ham: How the action unfolded at St James' ParkClub-by-club guide to every Premier League transfer deal during JanuaryAll the latest Newcastle news, features and opinionAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Kevin Nolan, Leon Best, Andy Carroll, James Tomkins, Joey Barton, Mike Ashley, Chris Hughton, Robert Green, Danny Gabbidon, Steven Taylor Places: Newcastle
