Kenny Dalglish's new-look Magpies were booed off the pitch after dramatically losing to a brilliant first half strike from West Ham winger Stan Lazaridis.

And hard though they tried, a disjointed Newcastle rarely threatened an equaliser.

The Aussie international had given the Hammers the boost they needed with a stunning long-range effort in the 17th minute as they picked up only their third away win of the season in the Premiership.

Showing five changes from their midweek defeat of Stevenage in the FA Cup, the Magpies failed to produce anything like the kind of performance which would see them climb into a top six spot by the start of May.

Optimism was high before the kick off with Gary Speed, signed only 24 hours earlier for £5.5million, handed his United debut on the left side of their midfield packed with four full internationals.

The 28-year-old former Everton skipper wanted to put all the talk of a fall out with Howard Kendall to the back of his mind with a fine debut.

The Welsh international hoped to repeat his debut performance for Everton when he scored - against Newcastle - on the opening Saturday of last season. But overall he had little to show for a battling performance.

Swedish striker Andreas Andersson was also handed his home debut, after being cup-tied in midweek, while Andy Griffin, bought from Stoke for £1.5million, started his first game for the club.

But the biggest surprise was Shay Given, United's Republic of Ireland keeper, back in goal with Shaka Hislop dropping down to the bench. The former Reading keeper had been called up to the England B squad and Glenn Hoddle was in the crowd.

The visitors travelled to St James' hoping to improve the worst away record in the Premiership. And with the arrival of Trevor Sinclair, in a £3million deal from QPR, they looked more powerful up front.

Former Magpie Paul Kitson lined up alongside leading scorer John Hartson, the Hammers leading scorer, looking forward to facing his international captain Speed.

In front of the watching Hoddle his England skipper Alan Shearer had a great opportunity in the 12th minute but he somehow blazed well over from only six yards after fine play by Keith Gillespie.

Andreas Andersson, the Magpies Stan Lazaridis but his cross was wasted with Shearer outnumbered at the far post.

The home side maintained their early momentum but the Hammers were always dangerous up front with 19-goal Hartson giving Darren Peacock a hard time.

The visitors struck first in the 17th minute and what a cracker of an effort it was from Australian Lazaridis. He broke with pace down the left and from fully 35 yards blazed a great effort over Given and into the top corner.

Newcastle boss Dalglish can't have been happy with his keeper's efforts as he seemed to have plenty time to get back and make a better effort at saving the left-foot drive.

Harry Redknapp's men clearly grew in confidence from this but they were forced back as Andersson and Speed began to get the ball down and pressurise the Hammers back four.

Andersson was unlucky in the 29th minute when he twisted and turned to blast a low drive against the base of Craig Forrest's left hand upright from 18 yards.

The battle at the back between Shearer and Rio Ferdinand was clearly going the defender's way in the opening half with the England B defender keeping the Newcastle star away from the penalty box. Shearer was becoming more and more frustrated as Newcastle's play became more ragged.

If Newcastle had the majority of possession it was the Hammers who looked livelier in front of goal with Paul Kitson heading wide before the interval after Stuart Pearce had been caught in possession near the left corner flag.

Newcastle dominated the second half but rarely threatened Forrest's goal - all too often their frantic and hardly inspiring play fell down inthe final third.

Even stalwarts such as Pearce and Peacock looked nervous as the home crowd's anxiety was transferred onto the pitch.

The best chance of the half fell to new signing Speed who moved onto a Shearer flick but dinked a 65th effort narrowly wide with Gillespie arriving just too late at the far post.

All three home debutants Speed, Griffin and Andersson worked hard but it was the Swede who looked the most impressive. He deserved more from his hard graft but overall it was a poor Newcastle display.

The Hammers were superbly served by Ferdinand and Pearce at the back, Rio Ferdinand clearly won his battle with Shearer on a surface which was as poor as the Magpies attacking play.

On this form Ferdinand will surely find himself back in the full England squad. And the watching Hoddle will rarely have seen his World Cup skipper Shearer better handled than by the young Hammer.

Teams

Newcastle: Given, Griffin (Tomasson 84), Peacock, Pearce, Pistone, Batty, Lee, Speed, Gillespie, Andersson, Shearer.

Subs Not Used: Hislop, Rush, Barnes, Albert.

Booked: Batty.

West Ham: Forrest, Breacker, Ferdinand, Pearce, Lomas, Moncur, Lazaridis, Impey (Potts 89), Sinclair, Kitson (Berkovic 80), Hartson.

Subs Not Used: Lama, Mean, Hodges.

Booked: Moncur, Impey.

Goals: Lazaridis 16.

Att: 36,736

Ref: U D Rennie (Sheffield).