Cape Town - Newcastle ended a nine-match winless streak and moved out the relegation zone with a 3-2 victory over West Ham in a pulsating Premier League game at the London Stadium on Saturday.

It was an action-packed encounter throughout and although David Moyes' side had their chances to take something from the game, the Magpies were probably a more consistent threat on goal and just about deserved winners.

The hosts got off to a flying start when they went ahead after only five minutes as Marko Arnautovic capitalised on a mistake from Henri Saivet before running in on goal and beating Rob Elliot.

But Saivet made amends in spectacular style just four minutes later when he blazed a brilliant free kick past Adrian.

The Toon nearly reclaimed the lead in the 18th minute when DeAndre Yedlin picked out Dwight Gayle in front of goal, but he fired against the crossbar from close range.

The match was quickly turning into the thriller and provided some end-to-end action before the visitors struck the woodwork for a second time from Matt Ritchie's curling effort in the 36th minute.

Rafael Benitez's men were now very much on top and missed another great chance when Gayle lifted Ritchie's cross over the bar four minutes before half-time.

The action continued into the second half as Arnautovic was inches away from scoring when he smashed a low drive that narrowly missed going in at the far post. Instead it was the Tynesiders who were to score when Christian Atsu put in a pin-point cross for Mo Diame to fire high into the net.

The Hammers should have levelled matters three minutes later when Michail Antonio was fouled in what referee Lee Mason deemed to be just inside the area by Ciaran Clark and Yedlin, and a penalty was awarded. But Elliot did superbly to read Andre Ayew's 57th minute spot-kick and he was able to push the ball away to safety.

Having survived that scare, the Magpies scored their third goal soon afterwards when Atsu combined with Joselu before firing in at the near post just past the hour mark.

West Ham restored hope eight minutes later when Ayew netted from close range after Carroll had parried substitute Andy Carroll's header, but Newcastle held on to their one-goal advantage without too much issue to earn a much-needed three points in the capital.