By Jemma Tappenden
December 1 2008

With no joy to be found against fellow promoted side Hull, Albion turned to fellow Premiership strugglers Newcastle United to revive their fortunes. But the home side made a bright start, giving Albion plenty to do in the opening stages of the game. Within just 35 seconds of the start Paul Robinson made a frantic penalty area clearance after Duff and Ameobi had torn the Baggies defence apart.

In the 3^rd minute, lost footing from Olsson allowed Martins a clear run on goal, leaving Robinson once again to race back to the rescue, arriving just in time to see the 12 yard strike tipped over by Carson.  The frantic start had unsettled Albion, but ironically it was as they began to find their feet that they fell apart.  In the 10^th minute Gutierrez set up Ameobi who wasted precious little time in pacing through to the box.  His impressive run was cut short by Donk, who had no arguments when the penalty was given against him.  It was Joey Barton, making his first start in 5 months, who sent Carson the wrong way to put the Geordies a goal up.

 

The best Albion could muster in the first 15 minutes was two long range efforts, one from Brunt and one from Valero, both failing to trouble Shay Given in goal.  Joey Barton went close for Newcastle in the 14^th minute, but his effort was just wide of the target.

 

Albion could not be faulted for their work rate.  They were working had to enjoy lots of possession.  But making it productive was turning out to be more difficult.  James Morrison’s long range effort was the best they could muster.  Goal chances dried up at both ends for a short period, but suddenly in the 35^th minute Albion found a second wind.

 

Nice one ouch football involving Robinson, Brunt, Greening and Koren played Morrison clear through.  He paced into the box, but could only watch as his 15 yard effort took an agonising deflection over the bar.  Also awakened were Newcastle, who wasted an equal chance jut two minutes later when Beye put the ball over after neat inter-play from his team mates.

 

But in the 42^nd minute Newcastle punished Albion again, Martins heading home their second goal after being left unmarked just 8 yards out from goal.  Overall a disappointing half for Albion.

 

Half Time: Newcastle United 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

 

In the 49^th minute a much more positive Albion went agonisingly close to pulling a goal back when Brunt shaved the woodwork with a 25 yard effort.  Brunt was replaced by Ishmael Miller 5 minutes later, as Mowbray adopted 4-4-2 tactics.

 

Albion were still working hard, and clever play from Bednar allowed Zuiverloon to play in Morrison.  But the Scottish Internationals effort deflected off team mate Ishmael Miller and out of play for a goal kick.  Albion had continued to push and press for something out of the game, and chances from Miller and Morrison had so far failed to get them anything.

 

But finally in the 65^th minute the goal that had threatened to come arrived.  Greening dispossessed Duff with skill, finding Koren who in turn fed Miller who kept his cool to slide the ball past Given in the Newcastle goal.  A lifeline with 25 minutes left to play.  In an attempt to get something out of the game Mowbray made another change, this time Bednar making way for Luke Moore.

 

Albion nearly found an equaliser in the 73^rd minute, much to the annoyance of the home fans who were showing their frustration at the Baggies having set up camp in the Newcastle half.  But despite the pressure the game fizzled out and ended in defeat for Mowbray’s battlers. 

 

Full Time: Newcastle United 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

 

Barton (10pen)

 

Martins (42)

 

Miller (65)

 

Attendance: 45,801