Rice and Noble fire impressive Hammers to win over Newcastle

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Newcastle United - London Stadium, London, Britain - March 2, 2019 Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka looks dejected after conceding their first goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

(Reuters) - - West Ham tore apart Newcastle with a blistering first-half performance when a header from Declan Rice and a Mark Noble penalty set up their 2-0 Premier League win at London Stadium on Saturday.

Even though Newcastle began as the form side, with four league wins from six, their challenge effectively lasted just seven minutes -- the time it took Rice to score the opener.

The 20-year-old muscled himself into space to head Robert Snodgrass's corner powerfully past the keeper for his second Premier League goal.

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Newcastle United - London Stadium, London, Britain - March 2, 2019 Newcastle United's Salomon Rondon takes a free kick as Christian Atsu crouches behind the defensive wall REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

The home side survived the disruption of an injury to Aaron Cresswell, who was replaced by Arthur Masuaku, to extend their lead from the spot after Florian Lejeune brought down Javier Hernandez just before the break.

The ever-reliable Noble rifled his shot high into the corner for his 19th successful penalty for the club out of 21.

Although Newcastle improved after the break, when Paul Dummett came on in a rejigged formation, they seldom threatened beyond a Salomon Rondon shot that hit the post late on. The win moved West Ham to ninth in the table.

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Newcastle United - London Stadium, London, Britain - March 2, 2019 Newcastle United's Christian Atsu in action with West Ham's Ryan Fredericks REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

(Reporting by Neil Robinson; editing by Clare Fallon)

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Newcastle United - London Stadium, London, Britain - March 2, 2019 West Ham's Lukasz Fabianski shakes hands with Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka at the end of the match Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Newcastle United - London Stadium, London, Britain - March 2, 2019 West Ham's Manuel Lanzini in action with Newcastle United's Matt Ritchie Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley