Source: Northern_Echo
Penalties end Newcastle's FA chances
THREE PENALTY decisions went against Newcastle United to end their FA Cup run at The Hawthorns this afternoon.[LNB] While the match possessed little of the quality shown in Monday's Championship thriller it contained no end of incident and controversy.[LNB] The Baggies went in at half time two goals to the good thanks to a Jonas Olsson header and a Graham Dorrans penalty. Both goals required intervention from assistant referee Duncan Street who appeared to be spot on with both of his decisions.[LNB] But the officals had a nightmare in the second half.[LNB] Chris Hughton hauled off the inept Fabrice Pancrate at half-time handing Shola Ameobi a chance to partner Andy Carroll with Nolan reverting to his more accustomed role in central midfield.[LNB] Ameobi made an immediate impact when his low drive 25-yards from goal forced a smart save from Scott Carson at the near post.[LNB] Newcastle should have been awarded a penalty of their own when Graham Dorrans nudged Ryan Taylor in the back but the referee remained unmoved. It was a dreadful decision.[LNB] But when Carroll rifled home just after the hour mark, Newcastle began to look a different prospect. The midfield were revitailised, chasing for every ball and pressing the home side who'd up to that point had been given a very easy ride.[LNB] But two incidents on the 70th minute mark killed Newcastle's comeback and ensured that West Brom will be in Monday's 5th Round draw.[LNB] As the lively Ameobi burst into the penalty area he seemed to be dragged down under the combined challenge of Gabriel Tamas and Olsson. But yet again the official ignored Newcastle's appeals. This time his decision proved match-changing. West Brom immediately poured forward and were awarded a penalty for Ryan Taylor's tackle on on Jerome Thomas. The Newcastle defender was shown his marching orders before Dorrans blasted his spot kick past Krul.[LNB] Thomas made the Baggies numerical advantage count when he tapped in his team's fourth to seal victory with Carroll's impressive second offering Hughton's side little consolation.[LNB] For the final 20 minutes the inexperienced referee was barracked by the sizeable away following. Their anger was understandable but their side had rarely looked like a team for whom the FA Cup is nothing more than a distraction from more lucrative objectives.[LNB]
