West Brom hosted Newcastle United in the early kick-off Barclays Premier League match at 13:30 (GMT) on Sunday 5th December 2010, in a match that began with the sides level, on 19 league points.
West Brom ran out 3-1 winners with a first half opener from Tchoyi, who scored in the 32nd minute added to by two second half goals from Odemwingie to take the score to 3-0. Newcastle struck back with a late consolation goal from Lovenkrands in the 92nd minute.
West Brom were worth their win with superior possession – IRO 60% to 40% in their favour – a better shot count and more clinical finishing when the chances came their way.
However, West Brom have Scott Carson to thank for keeping their slender lead early in the second half – the England goalkeeper made two fine saves to maintain the 1-0 advantage, at a crucial time. Odemwingie scored on 71 minutes to take the steam out of the visitors, before adding his second, and his team’s third, with a minute left on the clock.
Lovenkrands’ injury time goal (90+2) was too little too late, but gave visiting fans something to cheer about, having made the long trip to Birmingham from the North East.
For Newcastle, it is obvious that they need to be able to retain possession better, particularly away from home, if they are to pick up many points on their travels.
The result means West Brom leap-frog Newcastle and move up to 7th position, which Sunderland, playing in the afternoon’s 4PM match, can claim from them if they defeat West Ham.
Newcastle stay in a mid-table 11th place.
Both sides, on the evidence seen on the pitch this season, and today, have enough ability to stay comfortably mid-table or better this season. Of these two recently promoted sides, however, West Brom still look to have adapted the better of the two to Premier League football.
If Newcastle are to move up the table, however, they need to be returning from trips such as this with at least a point.
At present, if Andy Carroll is kept quiet, as he was for most of today’s game, Newcastle have few ideas when pressing forwards.
West Brom will be hoping that their scoring form continues, and they keep Scott Carson fit and confident in their goal: the combination of the two makes them a very difficult opponent to any Premier League side at present.
West Brom v Newcastle Starting Lineups
West Brom Starting XI
01 Carson, 04 Cech, 30 Tamas, 36 Jara, 05 Tchoyi, 07 Morrison (Reid 85), 11 Brunt, 14 Thomas (Barnes 77), 17 Dorrans, 33 Scharner, 24 Odemwingie
West Brom Substitutes
13 Myhill, 06 Pablo, 20 Shorey, 08 Barnes, 12 Reid, 28 Fortune, 31 Cox
Newcastle Starting XI
26 Krul, 03 Jose Enrique, 05 Campbell, 12 Simpson, 27 Taylor, 08 Guthrie (Smith 73 ), 10 Routledge (Ranger 74), 18 Gutierrez, 24 Tiote, 09 Carroll, 23 Ameobi (Lovenkrands 46)
Newcastle Substitutes
33 Soderberg, 14 Perch, 28 Kadar, 17 Smith, 11 Lovenkrands, 20 Best, 30 Ranger
