Hello everyone! It's another weekend filled with Premier League action. We're well into the second half of the campaign, where the final standings in May begin to take shape. Here, we will be focusing on the contest between Newcastle and West Ham at St James' Park.

There is no getting away from it - Steve McClaren's Newcastle side are in a relegation battle as they currently sit second from bottom, sandwiched between Aston Villa and local rivals Sunderland, but the good news is that they are only one point from retaining their Premier League status. They have not won since December 13, and McClaren will be desperate to go on a run - starting this afternoon.

As for West Ham, could Champions League be a possibility? Not many would probably have thought that Slaven Bilic's side would be one point behind fourth 21 games into the season, but that is the truth. They have not been beaten since November 22 and have won three on the trot in the top flight. Right, before we go any further, let's bring you the lineups for both sides...

NEWCASTLE XI: Elliott; Janmaat, Coloccini, Mbemba, Dummett; Colback, Shelvey, Sissoko, Wijnaldum; Perez, Mitrovic
Subs: Darlow, Lascelles, Gouffran, Saivet, Riviere, Toney, Aarons

WEST HAM XI: Adrian; Ogbonna, Tomkins, Collins, Cresswell; Obiang, Noble, Antonio; Kouyate, Payet, Valencia
Subs: Randolph, Jenkinson, Reid, Song, Cullen, Moses, Jelavic

The big news for Newcastle is that new signing Jonjo Shelvey will make his debut as he has been named in the starting XI, replacing Cheick Tiote, who is believed to be on his way out of the club. There is, however, no place for new boy Henri Saivet, who signed for the Magpies from Bordeaux last week, as he takes his spot on the bench.

As expected, Rob Elliott takes his place in goal, with Daryl Janmaat, Fabricio Coloccini, Chancel Mbemba and Paul Dummett lining the back four. New boy Shelvey has been included in a midfield with Jack Colback, Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum. Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic will lead the line.

As for West Ham, Bilic has made just one change as well. Andy Carroll, who is out with a hamstring injury, has been replaced with Cheikhou Kouyate, who returns after missing the midweek game against Bournemouth. Unfortunately for the Hammers, they will be without Carroll for a month as the striker suffered the problem against the Cherries, 12 minutes into the game.

Angelo Ogbonna, James Tomkins, James Collins and Aaron Cresswell form a back four, protecting goalkeeper Adrian, while Pedro Obiang and Kouyate join captain Mark Noble in midfield. Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio will provide support to forward Enner Valencia. There's some good news on the injury front as Victor Moses returns to the bench after spending six weeks out with a hamstring injury.

So, how are we feeling about this season, Newcastle fans? It's not been ideal, has it? In the early stages of the season when the club couldn't even buy a win, there were numerous reports that McClaren would be lose his job without completing one season at St James' Park. The club's board publicly gave their support to the ex-England boss and the rumours have died down over the last few months, despite the Magpies' current predicament.

The results have not been ideal, but the performances have given fans reason for optimism and they head into this particular fixture on the back of an entertaining 3-3 draw with Manchester United. The team showed immense character by coming from behind at 2-0 and 3-2 to snatch a draw in the dying minutes of the match thanks to a strike from Paul Dummett.

It was not the perfect game from Newcastle as they conceded three goals, but at the other end, they managed to score for the first time since December 19. In addition, the team scored more than two goals in one top-flight game for just the second time this season.

While the result may not have given them all three points, being able to get something out of a game against one of the Premier League's giants will do wonders for confidence, and that is not all that will boost the confidence. The North-East outfit have been busy in the transfer window...

The club are believed to have spent around £17m on new signings Henri Saivet and Jonjo Shelvey. Five days ago, McClaren added Saivet to his squad from Bordeaux on a five-and-a-half-year contract. The Senegal international, who scored against Liverpool in the Europa League earlier this season, had been tracked by the club for a while and he is now part of the setup at St James Park.

Shelvey is another new face at the club, and it's a big signing for the North-East outfit as he has vast Premier League experience having played for Liverpool and Swansea City in his career so far. The midfielder is said to have cost Newcastle £12m and he is likely to be a hit with the fans as he never shies away from a tackle and is always willing to get stuck in.

After signing for the club, Shelvey told the club's TV channel: "I can't wait to get started. It was great to be at Swansea, it's a great club, but I just felt as soon as there was interest from Newcastle and they expressed how much they wanted me it was the right time for a new challenge.

"I am just excited to be here. Just walking around the stadium gives you goosepimples. It is an immense feeling to come here."

The stats are not great reading for Newcastle as they have conceded 38 goals, scored 22 and kept just four clean sheets, which could provide a problem as West Ham have scored seven in their last three league games. The Magpies started December well by earning back-to-back victories over Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Considering the calibre of opposition, many thought that the team could go on a run, but they were held to a draw by struggling Aston Villa and were beaten by Everton, West Bromwich Albion and leaders Arsenal. The shining light is their performance against United and they will be hoping to provide a similar display this afternoon.

As for West Ham, well, it has been a brilliant campaign so far and at this stage of the season a European place is a serious possibility. When Bilic was appointed as Sam Allardyce's successor last summer, the main aim was to ensure that the Hammers remain in the Premier League by the time they move into the Olympic Stadium in the 2016-17 campaign. Well, that objective has been ticked off, but will they be arriving at the new ground with European football?

When asked about the possibility of this, Bilic told the Evening Standard: "If you take a driving test and say 'I can't do it' of course you'll fail. If you're approaching a girl in a nightclub and you think she's gonna tell you off and all that, no chance, but if you're positive, you have a chance for the Champions League or whatever - top 10 or staying up.

"I have no problem saying that [we can get top four], but we're not thinking that way. If you ask me if we are thinking about it realistically and starting to be a little bit big-headed about the Champions League, no, we're not.

"You do not become a big club because you say big things - that won't make you a top-five club. We have to believe in ourselves but we are not believing we can make the Champions League."

The results are positive, but they have been dealt a blow with regards to personnel. Andy Carroll suffered a hamstring injury against Bournemouth in midweek and he has been ruled out for a month. That is just the latest in a string of injury problems for the striker, who has been on the treatment table for the majority of the season.

West Ham have managed to cope without him for large chunks of the campaign, but before getting injured against Bournemouth, Carroll had scored in his previous two league games. The former Liverpool forward had kickstarted a decent run, but it's now back to the drawing board.

Despite the injury blow to Carroll, there is one man who Bilic will be grateful to have back in his squad - that is Dimitri Payet. The Frenchman has been sensational for the Hammers since he arrived from Lille last June and given that the Hammers paid around £10m for his services, he can be considered a bargain! Payet was instrumental in West Ham's win over Bournemouth as he scored one and set up another as the team came from behind to seal a 3-1 triumph. This season, because of injury, Payet has made 14 appearances, scored six goals, provided four assists and has a pass accuracy of 81%. Not too shabby!

There is no reason why West Ham can't earn a spot in Europe this season because we have come this far in the campaign and they are still in the mix. If they manage to win this afternoon, then they will have four league victories in a row heading into upcoming games against Manchester City, Aston Villa, Southampton and Norwich City. Three of those games are winnable for the Hammers. It's only really the clash against City that pours doubt in the mind. Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Liverpool are all vying for the fourth spot, but let's make no mistake - West Ham are contenders too.

HEAD TO HEAD: As we edge closer to kickoff, let's have a look at the history of these two sides. Newcastle have the better record as they have claimed 51 victories, 11 more than the Hammers have taken. Let's keep in mind, though, in West Ham's last three trips to St James' Park, they have only suffered defeat once. Earlier this season, Payet scored both goals to give West Ham a 2-0 win over the Magpies at Upton Park. Newcastle will be hoping for a different result on home soil.

PREDICTION: Newcastle will be on a high after fighting back to a 3-3 draw against Manchester United in midweek, and they need a win having failed to gain one in any of their last six matches in all competitions. However, West Ham are in a very good run of form and they have the quality to cause problems on the road, particularly with Payet back in the starting lineup. I expect the Hammers to come away with all three points this afternoon.

Right, both sets of teams are making their way to the tunnel. They will be out on the pitch shortly and we can get this game underway!

KICKOFF! We are underway at St James' Park! Fingers crossed for an entertaining game!

Shelvey gets his first taste of the ball as he wins it in his own half before beginning an attack. Sissoko gets an early break as he storms towards the box. He tries to send a cross into the area, looking for Wijnaldum, but it's a heavy touch and the ball gets blocked by Collins.

Wjnaldum muscles off his marker and charges through the field into the final third. He spots Mitrovic's run on the right, but his pass is too far for the forward to latch onto. It's been a positive start for the home side.

CHANCE! What a great opportunity for Newcastle to take the lead! Wijnaldum nicks the ball off Noble in the middle of the park and sends it forward with Perez and Mitrovic storming through. Perez takes the shot, but Adrian drops down to make the stop.

It's the perfect start for Newcastle as Perez puts them in front! Shelvey is making an early impression here as he sends a brilliant pass into the feet of Wijnaldum, who lays the ball off to Perez with his first touch. The Spaniard then curls the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. Lovely strike!

Obiang is robbed off the ball from Sissoko, who plays it forward to Dummett, but he gets closed down and the ball goes out for a West Ham throw. The visitors have not got themselves into this game at all yet.

Shelvey is showing why Newcastle paid £12m for him. He's been involved in almost every move and has been bursting through the middle, trying to make things happen.

The downside of Shelvey's game, though, is that he can make some silly tackles. He brings down Ogbonna with a scissor challenge and West Ham are awarded a free kick. Payet takes it and tries to swing the ball over the wall, but it gets headed clear. Newcastle immediately go on the counter and Sissoko snatches the ball and looks to be one on one with the keeper with nobody in front of him, but the gets penalised for a hand ball.

CHANCE! West Ham get a sniff at goal, but Coloccini saves Newcastle with some brilliant defending. Cresswell finds some space on the left and drives to the byline before sending in a low cross. All it needs is a tap in from Antonio, but Coloccini get there first to clear the danger.

My oh my, what a ball from Shelvey! The new boy is truly showing his quality on his debut! The midfielder sends a perfect diagonal pass to Janmaat, who is lingering on the right side of the final third. The ball falls to his feet and Janmaat drives to the byline before sending the ball across to Wijnaldum, who stabs the ball into the back of the net. Newcastle 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes!

Valencia tries to make something happen for West Ham, who have been shell-shocked by this start! The forward charges past two Newcastle players before moving into the penalty area, but he can't get past Coloccini, who uses his strength to muscle Valencia off the ball.

SAVE! Newcastle are hungry for more! Mitrovic and Wijnaldum play a one-two on the edge of the box before Mitrovic aims his shot low, but Adrian manages to make the stop with his feet.

West Ham are getting a bit of respite as they knock the ball around the back in their own half. They have struggled to cope with Newcastle's high tempo so having some time on the ball will be able to settle the team in a bit. Well, they hope!

West Ham are struggling to break through. Tomkins uses pace down the right and cuts the ball back to Antonio, who bundles over on the edge of the area. The referee doesn't deem it a foul and Newcastle win back possession.

Dummett storms down the left and aims for the box, but he gets crowded out by West Ham's defence. The visitors string some passes together, but they still haven't found an answer as every move eventually breaks down.

Sissoko plays the ball out wide to Janmaat, who sends a high cross into the box, but it's dealt with by West Ham. Well, only as far as getting it out for a Newcastle throw. The ball eventually falls to Janmaat, who tries to curl the ball around the keeper, but it doesn't trouble Adrian and he snatches the ball in the air.

West Ham search for a response as the ball comes into the box from Payet. It's a decent delivery and it falls to Valencia, but Coloccini gets a head to it first and knocks it behind. However, the referee signals for a goal kick, not a corner.

The tempo has slowed down slightly, but Newcastle can afford to do that as they have a comfortable 2-0 lead. McClaren's side are still closing their opponents down well and are always trying to win back possession.

CHANCE! Goodness me, chance after chance for Newcastle and, to be honest, it's quite bizarre that they didn't get closer to scoring! Shelvey switches the play across the box to find Janmaat. The ball eventually falls to Dummett, who goes for goal, but the ball bounces off Collins, only to fall into the path of Janmaat, whose strike is stopped by Adrian.

CHANCE! The ball rolls into Sissoko in the middle of the box and instead of unleashing a shot straight away, he takes a touch and gives time for Collins to close him down. The ball gets blocked, but it bobbles around the box until it's eventually cleared. The reason Sissoko even got the ball was because Ogbonna lost it. Poor defending.

Colback gives away a free kick after getting too much on Cresswell than the ball. It's in a decent area, and Payet floats it in, but Valencia fails to control the ball and it bounces behind for a goal kick. The flag was up for offside, so it wouldn't have counted anyway.

Oh dear, it's handbags! Shelvey stupidly shoves Valencia, who gets caught in the face. The West Ham forward goes to ground, but eventually gets to his feet, but he's not happy with the midfielder and goes to have a word. Janmaat then gets involved, but the referee calm the situation. No cards brandished.

MISS! Well, that was embarrassing from Mitrovic... Perez picks him out in the box with a lovely cross, but Mitrovic times it all wrong and he completely misses the ball when he attempts a side-footed shot.

SAVE! Elliot gets involved for the first time in this game as Kouyate attempts a volley from inside the box after latching onto Obiang's pass. It's on target, but the goalkeeper does well to punch clear.

West Ham get a bit of joy as the win a corner in the dying minutes of the first half. It comes in from Payet, but it's headed clear by Wijnaldum.

Newcastle enter the half-time break with a comfortable 2-0 lead and a deserved one at that. Ayoze Perez was the man to put the Magpies in front in the sixth minute and after a brilliant diagonal pass from new signing Jonjo Shelvey, Daryl Janmaat crossed into the feet of Georginio Wijnaldum, who hammered it home. It's been a debut to remember for Shelvey as West Ham have had hardly any joy in the middle of the park. Not only that, the Hammers have struggled to create any serious threats on goal. Bilic will need a rethink in this 15 minute break. We'll be back for the second half shortly!

RESTART! The second half is underway! Can West Ham get themselves back in this game or will Newcastle maintain their lead? We have 45 minutes to find out!

WEST HAM SUB: The visitors have made a change at half-time as Jelavic comes on for Obiang. They definitely need some more attacking threat given how the game has gone so far.

Handball from Coloccini? Payet tries to whip in a cross, but it's blocked by the Newcastle captain. As he jumps, the ball does hit his arm, but it doesn't look intentional and the referee seems to agree.

What a lifeline for West Ham! The visitors are back in the game and largely because of a poor back pass from Mbemba. The defender tries to knock the ball back to his goalkeeper with the outside of his foot, but it's weak and Jelavic latches onto the loose ball and fires into the net. Game on!

Prior to that goal, Wijnaldum came close to putting Newcastle 3-0 ahead after a lovely one-two with Sissoko, but his sweeping shot trickled wide. Will he be ruing that later on?!

West Ham are having much more time on the ball now and they have a spring in their step as they sense that they can get something out of this game. Valencia flicks the ball on after spotting Kouyate driving into the box. Coloccini comes across to stop his run and the ball goes behind for a corner.

Kouyate seems to be in some pain as he lies on the ground. It appears as though the West Ham man has hurt himself in that challenge with Coloccini. He's managed to hobble off the pitch to gain some treatment.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Dummett is forced to make way after tweaking a hamstring, and new signing Saivet gets his debut.

Sissoko wins the ball back and storms into West Ham's half before sending the ball across to the left side to find Wijnaldum. The Dutchman plays it forward for Perez, who back-heels the ball. Wijnaldum goes for goal, trying to whip it round the keeper, but it comes to nothing.

CHANCE! Newcastle go on the attack again as Janmaat sends a brilliant cross into the box while on the run. It falls in front of Mitrovic, who attempts a shot with the outside of his left foot. Adrian gets to the ball, but he struggles to keep hold of it. He eventually scrambles to the ball to prevent any Newcastle players from latching on.

Shelvey picks out a threaded pass into the box, but it's slightly too heavy for Mitrovic to meet. Adrian looks uneasy again as he attempts to gather the ball, but he manages to eventually.

SAVE! Great stop from Adrian! The fans urge for Shelvey to take the shot as he lingers on the outside of the box. He does so, but it gets blocked and ends up falling to the feet of Wijnaldum, who plays it forward to Mitrovic. The forward tries a shot at the near post aiming for the top corner, but Adrian is there to tip the ball behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.

West Ham were able to quieten the home side in the early stages of the second half, but Newcastle have been able to gain control again as they ramp up the attack. The visitors have not had many meaningful chances since scoring, but it only takes one!

WEST HAM SUB: Moses, who has been out injured for the last six weeks, has been brought on to replace Antonio.

Noble plays the ball out wide to Cresswell, who attempts a cross, but it's blocked by Janmaat. West Ham keep coming, but the Newcastle defence are standing firm and have so far handled what has been thrown at them.

Mitrovic tries to tee up Wijnaldum after receiving the ball from Shelvey in the middle of the area, but West Ham's defence manages to latch onto the ball before Wijnaldum can and they regain possession.

WEST HAM SUB: The Hammers make their final change as Tomkins, who has a slight groin problem, makes way for Jenkinson.

SAVE! What an opportunity for Mitrovic! Shelvey threads the ball through to Mitrovic, who has just one defender tracking him, but he gets his feet in a muddle and his low shot gets stopped by Adrian. McClaren is not happy!

Shelvey goes for glory and considering his display this afternoon, why not?! It's a long-range effort at the centre of goal, but it goes right into the hands of Adrian.

NEWCASTLE SUB: That's the end of Perez's afternoon as Gouffran comes on to replace him.

Janmaat is having some trouble here as he seeks treatment for a back problem. It appears as though Jelavic kneed the defender in the back while in the air. Janmaat should be fine to continue, though.

The tempo has dropped in this game as both sides are struggling to find a crucial goal that will change the face of this fixture. West Ham are running out of time to gain a point and it looks as though their eight-game unbeaten run will come to an end.

OFF THE POST! So close for West Ham! In the dying minutes Jelavic keeps the ball in play by whipping it into the box to find the head of Kouyate. He tries to nod the ball in from close range, but it clatters off the post.

Six minutes of added time! West Ham will be pleased to hear that!

I'm not sure where the fourth official got six minutes from and McClaren doesn't either as he is fuming on the touchline.

NEWCASTLE SUB: The home side are trying to wind the clock down by taking Mitrovic off and bringing on Lascelles.

That was a nervy end to the game for Newcastle, but they managed to see the victory out and take three crucial points, which has moved them out of the bottom three for the time being. Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum got on the scoresheet for the Magpies, but Jonjo Shelvey played a hand in both goals. Nikica Jelavic tried to lead a comeback for the Hammers by scoring in the second half, but it wasn't to be and the team's eight-game unbeaten run comes to an end. Thanks for joining us, and until next time, goodbye!