Source: Telegraph
Newcastle United 2 West Bromwich Albion 2: match report
In this absorbing instalment of the race to return to the promised land, the game was spiced with goals good enough to grace the Premier League itself. West Brom, brimming with quick, clever passing, had been first to show. The positive principles Roberto Di Matteo has instilled were seen to devastating effect early on, the visitors stunning St James' by snatching the lead.[LNB]From the wreckage of a corner, the excellent Graham Dorrans kept up the pressure, turning away from Danny Simpson, looking up and lifting in a curling cross towards the near post. Jonas Olsson, the giant Swedish centre-half, had remained in the area, suddenly enjoying a yard of space as his marker, Shola Ameobi, thought the danger had ebbed. As Dorrans' ball swerved in, Olsson met it with the most elegant of touches, sweeping it first time past Steve Harper. And so began a terrific match.[LNB]As the 800 hardy travellers from the West Midlands celebrated up in the Gods, Olsson sprinted off in search of a television camera, holding out his shirt which displayed details of how to donate to the Haiti earthquake appeal a nice touch by West Brom and their players.[LNB]Having shown their silky side, West Brom then demonstrated an excessive physical streak, committing a succession of fouls around the box. Gabriel Tamas caught Ameobi, who was then upended by Youssouf Mulumbu, gifting Newcastle a free-kick 25 yards out.[LNB]Jonás Gutiérrez stood in front of the ball, masking the hosts' intentions. As Guthrie ran in, Kevin Nolan broke away from the end of the wall, engineering a glimpse of goal. Guthrie's aim was true, the ball speeding into the net before Scott Carson could move.[LNB]With Gallowgate now at full throttle, and Ameobi's movement troubling West Brom's centre-halves, Di Matteo's men could have folded. They fought back, sticking to their passing principles, their football flowing in waves to the forward beacon that is Roman Bednar.[LNB]Chris Brunt and the right-sided flier, Jerome Thomas, kept testing Newcastle down the flanks while Dorrans, who is too good for this level, broke constantly through the middle. Brunt almost restored West Brom's lead with a free-kick that bent just wide of Harper's right-hand upright.[LNB]Newcastle regained their composure, although how Gutiérrez escaped a caution for a dive in the area was a complete mystery, yet West Brom finished the half at a canter. Only the sharp reflexes of Harper prevented Thomas and Tamas from scoring.[LNB]A minute after the re-start, Harper had no chance when West Brom came calling. Again Dorrans was the catalyst, the Scot running deep down the inside-left channel before lifting the ball in to Bednar, who had stolen a yard on the dozing Fabricio Coloccini. Harper somehow repelled the Czech's header but could do nothing and Bednar swept in the rebound.[LNB]Newcastle responded well, delighting the vast majority of the 39,291 crowd with another equaliser. When Gutiérrez laid the ball back, José Enrique delivered a cross towards Lovenkrands. The Dane met the ball well enough but it seemed to lack sufficient power. Carson reacted too slowly, allowing the ball to float into the net. Engulfed by emotion, Lovenkrands pointed to the heavens in tribute to his father who passed away last Friday.[LNB]Match details[LNB]Newcastle United (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson (R Taylor 85), S Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique; Guthrie, Nolan, Smith, Gutierrez; Lovenkrands, Ameobi (Carroll 78 ).Subs: Krul (g), Pancrate, Butt, Kadar, Ranger.West Bromwich Albion (4-1-4-1): Carson; Jara, Tamas, Olsson, Cech; Mulumbu; Brunt, Dorrans, Koren, Thomas; Bednar (Miller 63).Subs: Kiely (g), Mattock, Moore, Teixeira, Zuiverloon, Cox.Booked: Olsson, Tamas, Jara, Bednar, Dorrans.Referee: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).[LNB]
