If his sacking as Newcastle manager still counts as the blackest stain on his CV, then Sam Allardyce has taken a substantial measure of well-chilled revenge. This was his second journey back to Tyneside since the day he made way for the brief and very unmessianic second coming of Kevin Keegan. On both occasions he has left with three points.
Former skipper Kevin Nolan returned to haunt his old club as West Ham United condemned Newcastle United to a first defeat in six games.
Nolan's 39th-minute strike, so typical of the goals he once scored for the Magpies, was enough to edge a tight encounter in which the Hammers enjoyed the better of the first half but had to survive a stern examination after the break.
Newcastle were once again far from their best, but did create more than enough chances to get something out of the game and would have done but for some poor finishing and the resilience of goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who produced fine saves from Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa.
Andy Carroll was prevented from opening his West Ham account with the visitors constantly threatening on the counter-attack. After exchanging passes with Nolan, Carroll's side-footed shot was saved one-handed by Magpies keeper Tim Krul.
"Andy Carroll is disappointed he didn't score but it was a really good save," said Allardyce. "He wants to get off the mark with that goal but he's our target man and that partnership with Nolan is outstanding.
"That's five Nolan has in 11 games. He gets the attacks flowing and reads the situation brilliantly in the box - he always seems to be in the right place at the right time."
West Ham's latest victory came in spite of losing three players - Matt Jarvis, Yossi Benayoun and George McCartney - to injury during the match. Allardyce said McCartney's groin problem was the most serious of the three, but expects to have all three fit for their home fixture against Stoke on 19 November.
With this win, West Ham are now 6th in the league, above teams such as Arsenal and Tottenham, and only two points away from the top four and a Champions league spot. Although it is slightly unlikely, for me and everyone else associated with the Hammers, it would be a dream-come-true return to the Premier League if we were able to stay there until the end of the season.
I believe that this victory will be looked on as one of the most important of the campaign for us. Not only is this a win against a side that are currently competing in Europe and had a Champions League spot in the palm of their hands at the end of last year, but this is also only our second win away from home (and arguably a much more difficult meeting than the 2-1 win over QPR). Not only can we be pleased with our rock solid defence and in-form goalkeeper keeping a second clean sheet in a row, but our attack is also constantly causing problems for some of the best teams in the league.
I believe we have to put this down to the fantastic work that Big Sam has done since coming to the club. It all started when he made his intentions at the club clear by making his first signing for West Ham last year, Kevin Nolan from Newcastle. Ever since, this team has gone from strength to strength under his leadership and I am in no doubt that there is lots more to come.
West Ham: Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Reid, Tomkins, McCartney (Demel 66), Noble, Diame, Benayoun (O'Neil 52), Nolan, Jarvis (Maiga 34), Carroll.
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