Aaron Cresswell the Lone Bright Spark in West Ham's Gritty Newcastle Win

LONDON — Billed as a clash that sizes up two Premier League top-four contenders, West Ham United's gritty victory over Newcastle United failed to show what both sides have built their surprise challenges on this season: the hosts' attacking verve, the visitors' defensive solidity.

With Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho and Alex Song missing from the starting lineup, West Ham lacked the ingenuity to threaten for much of the game. Ayoze Perez was crowded out up front and out-muscled in the box, making Moussa Sissoko (eventually red carded) the only real threat.

The Hammers looked overly reliant on a returning Stewart Downing and failed to get runners in and around Andy Carroll for much of the afternoon. The former Newcastle man won plenty of headers, but few runs were made to support.

One bright spark did emerge in the form of Aaron Cresswell, though, who continues to step up at left-back for the Hammers and stake his claim as a proven entity in defence. His goalscoring performance, a match-winner on the day for the home side, iced an excellent first four months in his burgeoning Premier League career.

"I have to give Aaron Cresswell a huge amount of praise," Sam Allardyce admitted to reporters after the game. "He showed our more creative and attacking players how to put the ball in the back of the net. He never gave up on the chance."

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The former Ipswich man was long linked with Aston Villa in 2012 and 2013, per the Mirror, but manager Paul Lambert couldn't secure a deal. West Ham obliged this summer to the tune of £2 million, per BBC Sport, with suggestions the deal could rise to £5 million.

Joe Bennett, the man Villa plumped for instead of Cresswell, has wholly failed to convince and is currently out on loan at Brighton and Hove Albion—a relative dumping ground for Villa these days. Cresswell's explosion into form has made Lambert look a fool for not pushing through a move.

Cresswell is small but powerful, has a remarkable engine and puts his defensive duties first. Stable in possession and reliable on the ball, he's conscientious enough to ensure cover is in place before speeding down the line to support an attack.

Apart from his goal—an opportunistic, somewhat fortunate strike after Cheikhou Kouyate's muffed shot fell to him with just the 'keeper to beat—what stood out was his back-post presence and defending of the wide areas. Many full-backs in 2014 ignore this duty, but as Ashley Cole proved against Bayern Munich in 2012, that judiciousness can win matches.

Newcastle barely troubled the hosts despite sending on Papiss Cisse, and bar a late, futile flurry with time expiring, James Tomkins and Co. had little to do. Cresswell impacted in every third and scored the winner, crowning a wonderful day for him when the focus was fixed on former Magpie Andy Carroll.

Left-back was a revolving door at Upton Park across the 2013-14 season, but this year it's a different story. Cresswell has hit the ground running and earned his manager's trust.

As he continues to improve and refine his game, expect national attention to increase; it's dawning on many that England have another strong future candidate for that left-back spot.

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