By Stuart Kidson
May 12 2003

Despite already being relegated the Baggies were not going to go down without a fight on the last day of their Premiership adventure. West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United
Sunday 11th May 2003

The final day of the Premiership season saw the Black and White of the Toon Army roll into the Hawthorns for the visit of Sir Bobby Robson and Newcastle United. Former Baggie Sir Bobby was without the deadly duo for the last game with Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy out with a broken ankle for Shearer and suspension for Bellamy. Already assured of a place in next seasons Champions League, Newcastle could have bought a weak side to the Venue of Legends and rested key players, but with the Toon looking to emulate last season and end on 71 points, Sir Bobby bought a team packed with talent.

Yet another sell out crowd at the Venue of Legends turned up the volume to the absolute maximum as the teams were announced when it was revealed that Gary Megson had not only included SuperBob Taylor in the squad, but had decided to start with the veteran striker in preference to Jason Roberts or Lee Hughes. Taylor had been forced to sit out of the squad for 8 months following injury and an alleged bust up with Megson.

It was Newcastle who started brighter in the opening period of the first half and Kieron Dyer could have put the visitors ahead after 8 minutes after Andy Griffin pulled the ball back for Dyer who missed his kick from 12 yards out. Moments later Newcastle had the ball in the back of the Baggies net when Shola Ameobi stabbed at an Aaron Hughes cross and sent it over the line. Fortunately for the Baggies he was adjudged to have strayed offside and the lead was cancelled.

United continued to press forward as the Baggies struggled to find their feet in this fixture. South American Nolberto Solano sent over a terrific cross for Tresor Lomana Lualua, but his effort went wide of the upright.

Neil Clement stepped forward to attempt one of his trademark free kicks but the weak shot went wide. It was shortly after this effort that the Baggies finally found their feet and opened up the Newcastle defence. Derek McInnes sent Andy Johnson racing towards goal unmarked after a wonderful ball over the top of the Toon back line. AJ raced towards goal and looked likely to give the hosts the lead, but with only Shay Given to beat, he continued his run of bad luck in front of goal this season and lifted the ball onto the roof of the net.

The anticipation amongst the Baggies faithful was tremendous every time SuperBob got a sniff of the ball and every fan was willing the legend to get his first Premiership goal in Baggies stripes. However, fate was to dictate otherwise and the Baggies hero was forced to limp out of what could be his last competitive game for the Baggies after falling awkwardly close to the East Stand touchline. Despite attempts to run the injury off it was the end of the game for SuperBob and he left the pitch to a standing ovation from all sides of the ground.

Super Bob's replacement, Scott Dobie, began enthusiastically and was soon causing problems for the Newcastle defence. It took a last ditch tackle by Andy O'Brien to prevent the young striker from putting the home side into the lead from another superb ball from McInnes.

The half-time break was only minutes away when Larus Sigurdsson, back from groin strain, almost sliced Lualua's cross into his own net but the ball managed to clear the crossbar for a corner. Solano's corner found former Nottingham Forest star, Jermaine Jenas who planted a classic header just inside the right hand post of the Baggies goal. Again the Albion had allowed a lapse in concentration to allow the other side to sneak a goal just before the break and things continued to get worse as Lualua almost put the visitors two up in stoppage time. Russell Hoult again came to the rescue and blocked the shot at the near post.

From the restart Newcastle attacked and almost extended their lead when Ameobi headed against the bar from another Solano corner. The rebound fell invitingly for England international Dyer but he miskicked his shot and the ball flew well wide of the mark much to the enjoyment of the home fans. James Chambers rode his luck when it appeared that he handled the ball in the Baggies area after being jockeyed by Ameobi, but referee Mr. Graham Barber waved away any appeals for a penalty by Toon players.

Chambers was again involved minutes later when he saved the day for the Baggies when he cleared Ameobi's shot off the line. Ameobi had beaten Hoult following Solano's through ball and looked to have scored when Chambers saved the day. Newcastle had laid siege to the Baggies goal but Dobie almost pulled the Baggies level after being sent on his way by Danny Dichio, but his shot was blocked by Shay Given's legs in the 56th minute.

Two minutes later Dobie levelled the score when he controlled another stunning pass from McInnes and slotted the ball past Given to take his tally up to 4 for the season, level with Jason Koumas in the goal scoring table for the Baggies. Newcastle were spurred on by this equaliser and raised their game as they went looking for the winner. Several close calls forced Hoult to be on top of his own game and he produced another fine save when he denied Hugo Viana from close range.

Hoult again produced a world class save minutes later when he blocked a shot from the unmarked Steven Caldwell with his legs. Andy Johnson was close by and cleared the danger with his head as the ball rebounded. Despite the pressure on the defence, the Baggies refused to lay down and cave under the onslaught.

Albion had obviously not read the script in the 73rd minute when Dobie put the hosts into the lead. McInnes was again involved in the build up when he hustled and bustled his way into the Newcastle area. The loose ball broke to Dobie who hit a curling first time shot that went in off the post and sent the Hawthorns barmy. Albion fans sang '1-0 To The Nationwide' at the now subdued Toon Army as it looked as if the Baggies were going out with a win.

Newcastle again pressed the Baggies and Lualua could have bought the teams level but his shot was wayward and sent high over the bar. However, it was Newcastle's turn to play the role of party pooper in the 80th minute when Viana beat the Baggies wall from 25 yards with a stunning free kick.

The game finished a draw and the Baggies said goodbye to the Premiership with a pitch invasion. Despite being on the back foot for long periods of the game the Albion had the chance to take all three points and go down with a win under their belts.

Man of the Match was selected by Mrs. Barbara Kidson (my Mother) of Smethwick, who was paying her first visit to the Hawthorns for a league game since the early 1960's. Barbara was a regular in the crowd on the old Smethwick End / Rainbow Stand corner throughout the 50's and 60's and lists her favourite Albion players as Ray Barlow and Derek Kevan. However for this match she chose Derek McInnes as her star player.

Team: Russell Hoult, Larus Sigurdsson, James Chambers (82), Ronnie Wallwork, Des Lyttle, Jason Koumas, Derek McInnes, Andy Johnson, Neil Clement, Bob Taylor (31), Danny Dichio

Subs: Brian Jensen, Igor Balis, Jason Roberts