Win at Newcastle suggests team are locating an identity but they still have plenty to prove – starting against Arsenal

This could have been the week that finished Julen Lopetegui at West Ham. Given two weeks to save his job, the manager met the challenge head on in the first and lifted the pressure by masterminding a disciplined, clever 2-0 victory at Newcastle on Monday.

Here, after a series of underwhelming performances, was belated evidence of why West Ham replaced David Moyes with Lopetegui in the summer. Internally there was satisfaction that the international break had not been used to make a change. West Ham, who go into Saturday evening’s home game with Arsenal in a curious spot, six points above the bottom three and seven off the top four, can see how hard Lopetegui has been working to reverse the slump. Although their faith has been tested, they were determined not to act hastily and it is hoped the win over Newcastle will not prove to be the exception rather than the norm.