Newcastle United 2 West Bromwich Albion 1: match report

Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion on Saturday Nov 30, 2013.

Et voila! Moussa Sissoko scores Newcastle's second at St James's Park Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Jason Mellor, at St James's Park

9:25PM GMT 30 Nov 2013

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Alan Pardew insists Newcastle’s French contingent have answered their critics in emphatic style after they played another significant role in helping post the club’s best run of results for 19 months.

Goals either side of half-time from Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko sealed a fourth straight victory, pushing Pardew’s side up to fifth place as they look increasingly capable of repeating their lofty finishing position of two seasons ago.

Newcastle United’s cross-Channel contingent have contributed 18 goals so far this season, prompting Pardew to quip: “There’s a chance I could win French manager of the year.” Pardew’s Gallic signings have differed in the amount of time they have required to adapt to the rigours of the English top flight, but the manager is confident that the acclimatisation process is well on the way to a successful completion.

He added: “There were question marks about both the mental and physical strength of the French lads last season, but I think they’ve answered those questions.

“This win was as tough a one as we’ve had. We had to show a real resilience and character, and the players should be proud of themselves. We had to show all sides to our game today, a bit of quality and flair, but we also did the less glamorous things well.

“We’ve got a strength in depth we didn’t even have when we finished fifth, but the fact we’re not in the Europa League makes a difference in the amount of work we can do on the training ground. We had to earn this victory, and it was won with an exquisite goal.”
It arrived from Sissoko shortly before the hour, four minutes after Chris Brunt had levelled for West Bromwich Albion. Newcastle’s French midfielder accepted a cushioned headed pass from compatriot Loic Remy to advance with purpose and thrash a 20-yard effort into the top corner past Boaz Myhill.

If the West Brom goalkeeper could do little to stop the winner, he was to blame for the first, nine minutes before the interval. Myhill’s punch under pressure from a Yohan Cabaye corner carried height rather than distance, the ball dropping inside the six-yard area for Gouffran to beat Youssouf Mulumbu in the air and head home, the Frenchman on the scoresheet for a second consecutive home game.

“We defend set plays very well as a rule, so it was disappointing to lose a goal like that,” Steve Clarke, admitted after only the second away Premier League defeat for his West Brom side this season.
Clarke’s side levelled though Brunt’s unerring finish off the underside of the bar after a cross from Morgan Amalfitano flew across Newcastle’s area. “Most people would say that we should have got something from the game,” Clarke added. They would have done, had substitute Victor Anichebe’s injury-time header not been narrowly off target.

Newcastle Utd (4-4-2) Krul 7; Debuchy 8, Williamson 7, Coloccini 7, Santon 7; Tiote 7, Sissoko 8, Cabaye 7, Gouffran 8; Shola Ameobi 6, Remy 7 (Anita 84 5) Subs Cissé, Ben Arfa, Yanga-Mbiwa, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi Booked Tiote.

West Brom (4-2-3-1) Myhill 4; Jones 6, McAuley 5, Olsson 6, Ridgewell 6; Morrison 4, Mulumbu 4, Amalfitano 7 (Gera 88 5), Sessegnon 3 (Anichebe 77 4), Brunt 6 (Berahino 76 5); Long Subs Popov, Yacob, Lugano, Daniels Booked Brunt, Mulumbu.