West Ham United 0 Newcastle United 1 | OneFootball

The Magpies' skipper slid in to turn home a Harvey Barnes cross shortly after the hour mark at the London Stadium as Eddie Howe's side set themselves up for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in the best possible way.

It was a deserved Premier League victory for a dogged United, who weren't at their free-flowing best but still managed to keep Graham Potter's improving team at bay with a determined and resolute display in the capital which boosts their hopes of European qualification.

The hosts, driven by the energy of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen, should have moved in front right at the start of the contest when Tomáš Souček blazed over after Tino Livramento failed to connect with Kudus' cross from the left. It was a glaring opportunity inside a minute for Potter's men, who were the livelier side early on.

Newcastle grew into the game as the half went on and Barnes forced two fine stops from Alphonse Areola - first with an instinctive flick to divert Kieran Trippier's cross-shot towards the bottom corner and then with a header from Dan Burn's back-post knock-down.

Both were important and eye-catching stops from the French goalkeeper, while at the other end Nick Pope - back in the side in place of Martin Dúbravka - wasn't tested too often, bar having to make a few straightforward saves from Bowen and then Kudus in a low-key first period.

The Hammers made a similarly bright start to the second period but on the hour, the Magpies went agonisingly close to taking the lead. Jacob Murphy - back in the side in place of the the suspended Anthony Gordon - whipped a low cross in from the right which Max Kilman inadvertently turned towards goal. It took a remarkable full-stretch intervention from Areola, diving backwards to claw it away from underneath the crossbar, to prevent the opener, with Alexander Isak flicking the awkward rebound over.

But just a few minutes later, Howe's charges did take the lead. It was a neatly-worked goal from the skipper Guimarães, who applied the finishing touch with his studs after Barnes picked him out with an inswinging centre. Sliding it at the far post, the Brazilian's effort elated the travelling fans housed behind the goal, and United deserved it for their endeavours after the restart.

Guimarães survived a penalty appeal moments later after appearing to bundle Bowen over, but while Potter's side attempted to turn the screw in the closing stages, the Magpies held firm to record a vital win - and kick-start what they hope will be a historic week in London.