On this day - 24 March

Classic match

West Ham United 5-0 Newcastle United
Division Two
24 March 1979

John Lyall's Hammers ended a three-game goal drought in spectacular fashion as they thumped Newcastle United 5-0 at the Boleyn Ground on this day some 36 years ago.

In the previous weeks, West Ham had succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Stoke City, before being held to successive goalless draws against Brighton & Hove Albion and Preston North End.

Fortunately, goals were not in short supply on this occasion, as West Ham moved to within three points of the promotion places with this comprehensive win.

Right-back John McDowell was the afternoon's unlikely hero, as he bagged a brace for the first and only time in his 303-game stint at the Boleyn Ground. They were to prove his last goals in claret and blue, as McDowell made the switch to Carrow Road in August that same year.

Elsewhere, Frank Lampard senior popped up with only his third goal of the campaign, while the prolific Bryan Robson plundered his 24th of the season. The Sunderland-born forward ended his seventh and final season in east London with 26 goals to his name, a tally only bettered by the 28 he netted in 1972/73.

Alan Devonshire, completed the rout, as the Hammers cemented themselves in fifth spot, where they would ultimately end the campaign.

West Ham United: Parkes, Lampard, Brush, McDowell, Martins, Bond, Holland, Devonshire, Cross, Brooking (Pike), Robson.

Complete record - 24 March

1928 Cardiff City 1-5 West Ham United (Division One)
1934 Hull City 2-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1951 Coventry City 1-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1956 West Ham United 1-1 Hull City (Division Two)
1962 West Ham United 0-4 Manchester City (Division One)
1967 West Ham United 2-1 Aston Villa (Division One)
1969 West Ham United 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Division One)
1970 Crystal Palace 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1973 Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1978 West Ham United 3-0 Ipswich Town (Division One)
1979 West Ham United 5-0 Newcastle United (Division Two)
1987 West Ham United 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday (Division One)
1990 Sunderland 4-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
2012 Burnley 2-2 West Ham United (Championship)

Played 14, Won 6, Drawn 3, Lost 5, Scored 27, Conceded 20