Held 1-1 at home in London on Matchday 26 of the Premier League, West Ham also had to deal with opposing supporters waving inflatable cats and whistling Zouma every time he touched the ball.

West Ham's French defender Kurt Zouma during the Premier League Round 26 home game against Newcastle on February 19, 2022 at the London Stadium JUSTIN TALLIS AFP

The 27-year-old had missed the last game against Leicester, after "feeling bad" during the warm-up according to his club, and it was only his second appearance since the video was posted on social media and the ensuing outcry.

The player then apologized, paid a heavy fine imposed by his club and lost his sponsor Adidas.

If the West Ham supporters sang a song more or less defending the player, those of Newcastle answered them with another much less pleasant.

Four months after its takeover by a Saudi consortium, Newcastle took a new step towards maintaining with this draw which allows them to increase their lead to five points with the first relegation player, Norwich.

The performance is all the more encouraging as it is obtained without Allan Saint-Maximin, injured, and the two main winter recruits Kieran Trippier, also injured (foot), and the former Lyonnais Bruno Guimaraes, left on the bench until the very end of the game.

West Ham had their only good streak in the second quarter of an hour, with a shot from Jarrod Bowen on the bar (20th), and the opener from Craig Dawson, with a header, from a free kick from the left side of 'Aaron Cresswell (32nd, 1-0).

West Ham defender Craig Dawson (3rd d) opens the scoring at home to Newcastle on the 26th day of the Premier League on February 19, 2022 at the London Stadium JUSTIN TALLIS AFP

But Newcastle equalized just before the break.

Joe Willock took advantage of a poor clearance from Declan Rice to score his first goal of the season (1-1, 45+1).

The joy of Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock (g) and his teammates after equalizing (1-1) against West Ham during the 26th day of the Premier League, February 19, 2022 at the London Stadium JUSTIN TALLIS AFP

The players of Eddie Howe, whose last defeat in the league dates back exactly two months against Manchester City (0-4, December 19) are doing a bad job in the standings with this draw.

They remain fifth, but with three to four games on the clock more than their pursuers Arsenal, Wolverhampton and Tottenham.

The day continues with in particular Liverpool - Norwich in the middle of the afternoon and the shock Manchester City - Tottenham (6:30 p.m.).

© 2022 AFP