West Brom’s late show saw them snatch all three points at St James’ Park with Paul Scharner’s 86th minute goal condemning Newcastle to a sixth game without a win.
The Magpies had come from behind twice courtesy of Demba Ba to cancel out goals from Peter Odemwingie and Gareth McCauley only for Scharner to send a chorus of boo’s ringing around St James’ as the Geordie supporters vented their frustration over their sides limp performance. It was a similar story to Saturday’s goalless draw with Swansea at the weekend with Newcastle creating plenty of chances but failing to take advantage allowing the Baggies to claim their first victory on Tyneside since 1977. The win was their second in a row and lifts Roy Hodgson’s side seven points clear of the relegation zone and into the top half of the Premier League table.
Just like Saturday’s win over Blackburn it was forwards Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie that proved to be the difference with the latter opening the scoring on 20 minutes. Chris Brunt’s superb through ball from inside his own half cut the home defence apart allowing the Nigerian to stride past Fabricio Coloccini and finish with confidence past Tim Krul. Newcastle rallied and deservedly levelled proceedings with Ba curling home a superb free kick for his 12th goal of the season following his free transfer move from West Ham in the summer. However they found themselves behind again just before half time with McCauley heading into an empty net after Jonas Olsson had nodded Brunt’s free kick across the face of goal ahead of Krul who flapped at the ball in an attempt to catch before it reached the Swedish defender.
The home side almost levelled in spectacular fashion through 19-year-old Haris Vuckic who was making his full debut in the top flight. Unfortunately for the midfielder his thunderous drive from 25-yards beat Ben Foster but thumped off the underside of the bar and off the post as Albion clung onto their lead going into the break. They would be forced to protect it for much of the second period and eventually succumbed to the pressure applied by Newcastle as Ba swept the ball into the top corner for his 13th goal in a black and white shirt after playing a neat one-two with substitute Hatem Ben Arfa. Vuckic then thought he had won it with another long range thunderbolt only to see Foster tip the ball away before Ba shot wildly shot over the bar. Those missed chances would prove crucial as the visitors snatched victory with four minutes to go as Scharner brilliantly turned the ball home on the half volley after Long outpaced Coloccini down the right and crossing for Odemwingie who headed the ball back into the patch of the Austrian. That goal left the Magpies still searching for a win at St James’ Park since it was renamed the Sports Direct Arena by owner Mike Ashley in October.
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