Newcastle United sealed their fourth-straight win in the league as Moussa Sissoko’s stunning second half strike was enough to take all three points against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Sissoko’s powerful drive into the top corner in the 56th minute turned out to be the game-winner as Newcastle’s home fans at St. James’ Park were sent home happy once again.
In the first half Newcastle took the lead through Frenchman Yoan Gouffran who headed home after Baggies ‘keeper Boaz Myhill made a hash of a routine punch in the box. But after the break West Brom fought back as captain Chris Brunt smashed him a terrific effort at the back post to give the Baggies hope of nicking a win on the road.
But a few moments latter Sissoko popped up with his dazzling strike to move Newcastle up to fifth spot on 23 points, while West Brom stay in 12th on 15 points.
A bright start from West Brom saw Brunt’s long-range free kick tipped wide by Tim Krul after two minutes and from the resulting corner the Magpies struggled to clear as the Baggies attackers made a real nuisance of themselves.
Newcastle came back into the game as both teams started at a steady pace up in the North East. The Magpies almost went ahead in the 18th minute after Sissoko wriggled free in the far right corner before teeing up Mathieu Debuchy to send a dangerous cross into the box that Loic Remy headed against Billy Jones who deflected it wide.
From the resulting corner West Brom struggled to clear the ball as Newcastle kept the pressure up on the visitors.
For the rest of the first half, Check Tiote and Youssuf Mulumbu locked horns and Tiote was booked for a late challenge as the encounter in the North East turned into a midfield battle.
In the 35th minute Gouffran opened the scoring as a dangerous in swinging corner from Yohan Cabaye saw West Brom ‘keeper Myhill come out to punch it away but he missed the ball and Newcastle’s French winger pounced to score. The goal was Gouffran’s third straight at home as Newcastle deserved their 1-0 lead thanks to his quick-thinking in the six-yard box and a blunder from Baggies goalkeeper Myhill.
After that goal Newcastle continued to press forward and felt that Jonas Olsson should have been given a straight red card as he appeared to take down Remy when the Frenchman was clean through on goal. No foul was given and the home fans were not happy with decision from referee Phil Dowd.
Following the interval Newcastle almost grabbed a second goal as Shola Ameobi played through his strike partner Remy but Myhill came off his line to smother the ball and save at the Frenchman’s feet.
However West Brom were soon back in the game as Amalfitano’s inviting cross from the right just evaded Long in the box but found captain Brunt who rifled in a fantastic effort to make it 1-1. The goal was actually the first shot on goal the Baggies had attempted and it was a great start to the second half for the visitors.
Buoyed by their equalizer the Baggies almost went ahead moments later when Olsson’s header just flew past the post and Long couldn’t redirect it.
But no sooner had West Brom got back into the game, Newcastle were back ahead as Sissoko smashed in a terrific strike from over 20 yards out that left Myhill with no chance and put the Magpies 2-1 up.
The Frenchman unleashed a rocket from his right foot in the 56th minute after Remy created the opening for Sissoko to smash in a beauty to send the fanatical Newcastle supporters into raptures. The goal also meant that 18 of Newcastle’s 19 goals this season have been scored by Frenchman.
West Brom tried to get back into the game but the home side were keen to shut any openings for the visitors down as Tiote and Cabaye marshaled the central midfield area superbly. The Baggies almost shot themselves in the foot in the 75th minute as Brunt gave the ball away but Debuchy struck his effort straight at Myhill from the edge of the box.
A double substitution from Steve Clarke tried to rescue a point for the Baggies as Victor Anichebe and Saido Berahino were both brought on late in the game. Those new arrivals gave West Brom some hope but Newcastle held firm and grabbed their fourth-straight win to climb into the top five.
LINEUPS
Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Sissoko (Cisse, 90), Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran; Shola Ameobi, Remy (Anita, 84)
West Brom: Myhill, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Morrison, Mulumbu, Amalfitano (Gera, 88), Sessegnon (Anichebe, 77), Brunt (Berahino, 76), Long
