Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle 2 West Brom 2: Lovenkrands does it for dad but Albion ambush Toon
Peter Lovenkrands dedicated the goal which keeps Newcastle on track for promotion to his late father after he capped an emotionally draining week. [LNB]The former Rangers striker was expected to miss Monday night's clash with third-placed West Bromwich following his father's death in Denmark. But he made a surprise return and scored the second equaliser - his fourth goal in a week - to earn a point. [LNB] Touching moment: Peter Lovenkrands displays his emotions after heading the equaliser for Newcastle against West Brom[LNB]Lovenkrands, who scored an FA Cup hat-trick against Plymouth lastWednesday, looked to the heavens and fought back the tears as hecelebrated his third league goal of the season in the 54th minute. [LNB]He said: 'It is a bit surreal. It is still emotional but I am justso pleased we got a point and I got a goal for my dad. It means a lot.I dedicated that goal to my father. It was a very difficult decision toplay but my dad was a very big football fan and he would have wanted meto do this and I didn't want to let him down. I felt I wanted to do itfor him.' [LNB]Manager Chris Hughton, whose side remain six points ahead of Albionand three ahead of Nottingham Forest with a game in hand, said:'Lovenkrands deserves immense credit. We left the decision up to him.We are very much behind him and his family but he wanted to play andfor him to get a goal - the equalising goal at that -shows great creditto him and also shows the spirit we have here.' [LNB] Early strike: West Brom celebrate after Jonas Olsson (second left) opened the scoring against Newcastle[LNB]Oh Danny boy: Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie is congratulated after his stunning free-kick equaliser[LNB]Roberto Di Matteo's Albion side twice took the lead at St James'Park, where Newcastle remain unbeaten this season, and they looked onthe verge of their first victory there for more than 30 years untilLovenkrands' second-half strike.[LNB]In a full-blooded and thoroughly entertaining scrap between two ofthe sides relegated last season, West Bromwich took the lead throughJonas Olsson after 14 minutes when he was allowed to touch home a crossfrom the excellent Graeme Dorrans past Steve Harper.[LNB] Danny Guthrie cancelled that out 11 minutes later, placing adelightful free-kick over Yousuff Mulumbu in Scott Carson's wall afterthe Rwanda midfielder had brought down Shola Ameobi. But a mere 32seconds into the second half Roman Bednar put the visitors back infront with another simple goal. [LNB]Fabricio Coloccini, the rock on whom Newcastle's Championship chargehas been based, was most at fault after he failed to deal with anothercross from the lively Dorrans. [LNB]Bednar rose comfortably above Coloccini to head at Harper, whotouched the first effort on to the bar with his legs, only for Bednarto nonchalantly nod the ball over the supine keeper. [LNB] Roman rules: Bednar nods in to make it 2-1 to the Baggies[LNB]Newcastle again needed just 11 minutes to reply and Lovenkrands tookhis season's tally to six with a header from Jose Enrique's cross,although Di Matteo will doubtless be disappointed with the attemptedsave from Carson, who seemed to be deceived by the power of the effort.[LNB]The build-up was excellent again, with good exchange play betweenEnrique and Jonas Gutierrez down the left, but Lovenkrands managed tobeat Carson inside his near post from 10 yards. [LNB]Good cause: West Brom keeper Scott Carson shows the club's support for the Haiti earthquake disaster.[LNB]Both sides had plenty of chances to win the game, with Enrique andGutierrez combining again to create an opening for Kevin Nolan, who wasdenied his 12th goal of the season by Carson's low save. [LNB]Harper, meanwhile, saved well to deny Bednar a second of the nightbefore the Czech striker was surprisingly substituted by Di Matteo,much to his obvious chagrin. His replacement, Ishmael Miller, missedAlbion's best chance seven minutes from time when he touched JeromeThomas's cross against the post with an open goal in front of him asHarper scrambled on the ground. [LNB]Earlier, Harper had made one superb stop with his right hand to keepout Thomas's shot when he appeared to be diving in the wrong directionand three minutes into first-half injury time Harper had again been atfull stretch to beat away a long range effort from Gabriel Tamas. [LNB]Newcastle had four penalty appeals turned down by referee PaulTaylor, two of which looked blatant. Lovenkrands was hauledto theground in the first half by Gonzalo Jara and in the final minute ofstoppage time substitute Andy Carroll was blocked meeting a corner byOlsson. [LNB]Hughton said: 'It was a blatant penalty.' But Di Matteo countered:'I am sure Newcastle are happier with the point. We did enough to winit.'[LNB] Rock steady Newcastle agree new four-year £10m sponsorship dealToon legend Solano set for sensational return to Newcastle UnitedRound-up: Everton give trial to Norway defender Knut Olav RindaroyNORTHERN EXPOSURE: Gareth Southgate stays calm as Boro chief Steve Gibson brands his regime as 'worst ever in the club's history'[LNB] [LNB]
