Newcastle end losing run with thrilling victory away at West Ham to ease pressure on Rafa Benitez

West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 3: Efforts from Henri Saivet, Mohamed Diame and Christian Atsu clinched victory for the visitors in a thrilling encounter at the London Stadium

This was Newcastle's first win in 10 league games (Getty)

Newcastle climbed out of the Premier League bottom three as they won for the first time in 10 games and ended a run of four straight defeats in the process.

The disastrous run of form had put the pressure on manager Rafael Benitez but his side bounced back in thrilling fashion to put a dent in West Ham’s mini-revival under David Moyes.

They did it in sensational fashion, winning a five-goal thriller thanks to efforts from Henri Saivet, Mohamed Diame and Christian Atsu, in a match where keeper Rob Elliot also kept out an Andre Ayew penalty.

Saivet was handed his first Newcastle Premier League start and he had a dramatic opening 10 minutes to this contest.

First the Senegalese’s stray pass was seized on by Marko Arnautovic who ran on and beat both Ciaran Clark and keeper Rob Elliot with a composed finish just six minutes in.

Henri Saivet drew Newcastle level on 10 minutes with his free-kick effort (Getty)

However, Saivet responded in the best possible way when he levelled three minutes later with a superb free kick from 25 yards that left Adrian stranded.

A crazy start to the match that suggested many of the 22 on the pitch had been watching Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool on Friday night and there should have been more goals before the break, too.

Dwight Gayle drove against the crossbar for the visitors from close range from DeAndre Yedlin’s cross while at the other end, Arthur Masuaku’s shot from distance was well held by Rob Elliot.

Newcastle’s frustration with the woodwork continued as Matt Ritchie’s drive from the edge of the area came back off the post.

West Ham threatened again with Michail Antonio somehow missing a free header with the whole goal to aim at from the impressive Arnautovic’s cross.

Joe Hart watches on as a Newcastle free-kick sails over (Getty)

But then Newcastle failed to convert an even better opportunity as Gayle drove over with the goal at his mercy after fine play by Yedlin and Javier Manquillo had carved open the West Ham defence.

You must wonder what the two managers said to their sides at the break as the goalmouth action failed to dry up in the second half.

Arnautovic shot wide from the edge of the area before Newcastle went on to take a 53rd-minute lead, Atsu crossing for Diame to blast home but the former West Ham player refused to celebrate against his former club.

The East Londoners should have immediately levelled only three minutes later. Ciaran Clark’s foul on Antonio was adjudged to have been in the area despite Lee Mason taking his time to make the decision. However Andre Ayew’s penalty was a saveable height for Elliot who dived to his left to keep the effort out.

West Ham manager David Moyes reacted by sending on Andy Carroll against his former club for Antonio who did not look fully fit.

Andre Ayew celebrates scoring West Ham's second goal (Getty)

However, it was his side’s defending that proved to be their downfall as they gave the ball away just inside the Newcastle half on 62 minutes with the visitors then racing through their back line, Joselu crossing for Atsu to convert.

But this incredible contest continued as West Ham pulled one back on 69 minutes with Carroll’s header from Aaron Cresswell’s corner saved by Elliot but Ayew redeemed himself somewhat to convert the rebound.

The hosts certainly could have found an equaliser with Carroll’s height and physical prowess causing no shortage of difficulties and from one knockdown Pedro Obiang shot just over the bar.

Moyes’ side could not find that equaliser though and are now just one point and one place above the drop zone themselves after their opponents climbed above them in the table.

West Ham United (3-4-3): Adrian; Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Obiang, Masuaku; Ayew (Hernandez 80), Arnautovic, Antonio (Carroll 58). Subs: Sakho, Collins, Hart, Quina, Rice.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo; Atsu (Murphy 90), Saivet (Mbemba 83), Diame, Ritchie; Gayle (Perez 76), Joselu. Subs: Dummett, Aarons, Haidara, Darlow.

Referee: Lee Mason