West Brom was the perfect anecdote for Newcastle's long winless streak as the Magpies went on to a 2-1 victory in front of 45,000 at St James' Park. Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear gave the start to the convicted violent offender Joey Barton and was rewarded with his goal from the spot nine minutes after the start when Ryan Donk was adjudged to fouling Shola Ameobi in the area. The lead boosted Newcastle's confidence and at the forty-second minute, Habib Beye's cross was headed in by Obefami Martins to double the lead. West Brom showed some fight and twenty minutes after the break Robert Koren played a through ball for Ishmael Miller, who out maneuvered Fabricio Coloccini and then finished beautifully to make it a one goal deficit. West Brow continued to threaten with young Mr. Miller making the case to West Brom manager Tony Mowbray that he needs to be in the starting grid but the leveling goal was not to be and Newcastle took the important win.
Newcastle returns to pitch next Monday against Aston Villa.
