Newcastle United v West Ham United
Premier League, St James’ Park, Monday 25 November 2024, 8pm GMT
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistant Referees: Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh
Fourth Official: Tony Harrington
VAR: Chris Kavanagh
Assistant VAR: Tim Wood
Craig Pawson has been confirmed as the referee for West Ham United’s return to Premier League action following the international break, away to Newcastle United.
One of the country’s most experienced officials, the 45-year-old has been a part of the Select Group of Referees since 2013 and has held the whistle six times in the Premier League so far this campaign, as well as in UEFA Champions League and Conference League qualifying, the UEFA Nations League and EFL Championship.
He has previously taken charge of the 2017/18 EFL Cup and 2021/22 FA Cup finals, as well as two Community Shield clashes, in 2016 and 2022.
Pawson has refereed 23 fixtures involving the Hammers during his esteemed career, most recently the 3-1 away triumph at Everton in March 2024. He has served as the fourth official in three West Ham games this term, including the 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest at the start of this month.
Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh have been named as the assistant referees for the enticing encounter at St James’ Park.
Smart has worked as an assistant in seven Premier League matches this campaign, including alongside Greenhalgh and Pawson during West Ham’s aforementioned reverse against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Smart and Greenhalgh were both last in domestic action during Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City on 10 November, which saw the latter run the line in the top flight for the tenth time this season.
Tony Harrington will serve as the fourth official on Monday evening.
One of the newest top-flight referees, who was promoted to Select Group One ahead of the 2021/22 season, the North East native took charge of the Irons’ home defeat to Aston Villa on the opening weekend of 2024/25.
Experienced Premier League whistler Chris Kavanagh is set to oversee Video Assistant Referee duties, and he will be assisted by Tim Wood.
