Newcastle United welcomed West Bromwich Albion to St James' Park on Sunday looking to end a disappointing recent run against the Baggies.
They took the lead in the first period when Demba Ba converted from close range, but Romelu Lukaku headed an equaliser for West Brom in the second period.
There was to be late drama, however, when Papiss Cisse scored his first Premier League goal since May to secure all the points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Good afternoon all! Our live commentary comes from St James' Park as Newcastle attempt to kick-start their faltering campaign. In their way is a West Brom side that have enjoyed their best start to a league season in 20 years, but they are yet to win away in the league this campaign.
Just a reminder that we are expecting the team news in the next 10 minutes or so. Until then, let's bring you some facts and figures from recent meetings between the two. There have remarkably been 19 goals in the last four Premier League matches between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have not beaten West Brom at St James' since October 2008. Although that was the year the Magpies suffered relegation from the Premier League. A bad omen perhaps?! Unlikely, but you never know.
West Brom also condemned Chris Hughton to the door at Newcastle when they recorded a 3-1 away win in December 2010. Meanwhile, the Baggies were one of only three teams to win at St James' last season. The other teams, not surprisingly, were Chelsea and Manchester City.
TEAM NEWS: Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi lead the line for Newcastle. Meanwhile, Tim Krul and Danny Simpson also start. West Brom hand a start to on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku. Full teams to follow.
Teams:
Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Ben Arfa, Perch, Cabaye, Jonas; Ba, Ameobi
West Brom: Foster; Tamas, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Mulumbu, Morrison, Gerra, Dorrans; Odemwingie, Lukaku
So there we have it. Papiss Cisse starts on the bench for Newcastle once more. But James Perch comes into the home side's midfield. Meanwhile, West Brom pair Peter Odemwingie in attack with Lukaku.
Newcastle will enter the match as favourites for the three points. However, they have won just one of their last seven meetings with West Brom in all competitions. Meanwhile, they have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches.
That said, they have lost just two of their last 14 Premier League games at home. If they are to secure all three points, they will look to their midfield players to take some of the goalscoring burden away from Demba Ba, who has six league goals to his name this season. However, his strike partner Cisse has gone nine league games without a goal.
Not many people know that now West Brom boss Steve Clarke also had a spell as assistant manager at Newcastle in the 1998-99 season alongside Ruud Gullit. He will be keen to get one over on his former side this afternoon.
In terms of the recent head-to-head record between the two sides. Both have won two of the last five meetings, with the other ending in a draw in May 2011. However, West Brom have scored three goals on each of their last two visits to the Magpies.
Newcastle enter the match having secured a 1-1 draw against Sunderland in their last Premier League match. Meanwhile, they recorded a 1-0 win over Club Brudges in the Europa League on Thursday and will therefore enter the match full of confidence. That said, they have six fewer points now than they had at this stage last season.
West Brom, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City last weekend. But anyone that saw the match will know that they came ever so close to securing all three points and were unlucky to end the match empty-handed.
Update: Everton 2-2 Liverpool. The Merseyside pair have just resumed play in the second period. What a first half it was at Goodison!
Right, we are just about 20 minutes from kickoff at St James'. My pre-match prediction is 2-1 Newcastle. You just get the feeling that the home side need to win this more than West Brom.
Just a reminder that a win for West Brom this afternoon could move them as high as fourth depending on other results. Meanwhile, three points for Newcastle would move them into 10th.
What about the decision to start Shola Ameobi alongside Ba for the home side? It just hasn't quite happened for Cisse this season. Meanwhile, Hatem Ben Arfa has struggled for form in recent weeks.
West Brom will look to Odemwingie to provide their threat. Meanwhile, Lukaku has impressed in recent weeks and is clearly improving with each match. Surely there will be goals this afternoon.
Extremely chilly afternoon in Newcastle. The wind is bitter! However, I am certain that the locals will have their flesh showing. They wouldn't mind if it was minus 20.
Here we go then. Both sets of players emerge from the tunnel and join us on the pitch. The home supporters are in good voice. We are all set up for a wonderful afternoon of Premier League football.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Let's get this Premier League fixture underway. You can just sense that it is going to be one of those games where the first goal is all-important.
Here we go then. Big afternoon at St James' as West Brom get us underway. Today's referee is Chris Foy.
Early spell of possession for Newcastle with Williamson and Coloccini playing along the defence. The latter searches long for Jonas, but Ridgewell clears the danger.
Again it's smart work from the home side as Ben Arfa collects possession on the edge of the box before finding Jonas. However, the Argentine cannot collect. Meanwhile, Lukaku shows a burst of pace to get clear of Santon, but his cross is cleared.
Newcastle continue to enjoy the ball in the early stages. However, it appears that Morrison and Gera have been given licence to join Lukaku and Odemwingie in the away side's attack.
Half-chance for Odemwingie to launch an attack as he nips possession from Santon on the left, but the Nigerian is crowded out. The match has just settled after a lively opening.
The match has settled into a pattern of Newcastle enjoying the possession and West Brom threatening on the counter. No real chances for either side thus far.
Half-chance for Newcastle as Cabaye collects possession outside the box, but his effort is wide of Foster's post. Meanwhile, West Brom are starting to grow into this match.
Chance! Best chance of the match for Newcastle as Ameobi finds Ba in the box, but somehow the striker heads wide of the target. How on earth did he miss that?!
Ben Arfa continues to come deep to collect the ball for Newcastle, but Mulumbu is right on his toes. West Brom are a different animal this season. They simply have better players.
Newcastle go long once more as Ba collects outside the box, but McAuley is touch tight and heads the danger clear. The home side call for a penalty as Ameobi is felled in the box, but Foy shakes his head.
Newcastle continue to carry the main attacking threat as Ben Arfa whips a dangerous cross into the box. Meanwhile, Foster palms a Santon effort around the post from long range.
Chance! Ba comes close once more as he beats the offside trap before firing towards goal, but his effort is wide of the post. It's all one-way traffic at the moment.
We haven't seen much from Lukaku and Odemwingie thus far for the away side. However, Morrison and Mulumbu are enjoying possession in midfield.
Another half-chance for Newcastle as Ameobi pounces on a loose ball inside the box, but his effort is saved. Meanwhile, Lukaku is denied by Krul at the other end. End-to-end stuff.
Again it's bright work from West Brom as Dorrans collects possession on the edge of the box, but he is felled by Perch. Meanwhile, Gera bends his free kick wide of the post.
So, 30 minutes played at St James' and the score remains 0-0. The best chance of the match fell to Ba in the early stages, but he headed wide. The match has started to open up in the past few minutes.
Chance! Another chance falls to Newcastle as Ben Arfa finds Ameobi on the edge of the box, but the striker can only fire over the crossbar. He should have tested the goalkeeper.
Again West Brom threaten as Morrison searches out of the run of Lukaku, but he fires just wide.
GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 West Brom (Ba)
Newcastle take the lead as Ameobi heads towards Ba and the striker takes his tally to seven league goals with a cool finish.
That's why Ameobi is in the team! He provides that physical threat in attack. Meanwhile, Ba has been so deadly in front of goal this season. That's a big goal in the context of this match.
Suddenly it's all Newcastle as Ben Arfa floods forward, however, he loses possession at the vital moment. West Brom just need to settle for the next five minutes or so.
Chance! Another fine opportunity for West Brom to level as Lukaku advances on goal, but Krul makes a smart save. The on-loan Chelsea striker should really score.
Little over three minutes remaining of the first period. Newcastle rightly lead, but Lukaku has had chances to level the scores. It's so delicately poised at the moment.
Half-chance for West Brom as Odemwingie collects possession outside the box, but he fires wide of the target. Not long remaining in the opening half.
Meanwhile, we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half. Newcastle have possession.
Newcastle United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
So there we have it. A singular goal from Demba Ba is the difference between the two teams at the interval. Both sides have had chances, but the home side take a lead into the interval.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Newcastle have dominated possession with 52%, while they have had six shots to West Brom's three.
West Brom have Shane Long on the bench and we could see him introduced at the break. Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will be pretty happy with what he saw in the opening half of football.
Right, we are moments away from the second period. Can Newcastle secure just their third Premier League win of the season? Or will West Brom turn it around for their first three points away from home?
Here we go then. Newcastle kick us off in the second period. Let's hope for some goals at St James'.
The home side have control of the possession in the early stages. Coloccini has just settled them down since coming back into the team. Meanwhile, West Brom just need some sort of invention.
West Brom have the ball in the back of the net as Lukaku taps home from close range. However, the striker was in an offside position from Mulumbu's shot. Better play from Steve Clarke's side.
First sign of Ba in the second period as he turns before running at the West Brom defence, but he is crowded out by Olsson. You can just sense that West Brom fancy this now.
Again it's smart work from West Brom as Morrison searches out the run of Lukaku, but Williamson comes across to clear the danger. But the away side are playing some really nice stuff at the moment.
GOAL! Newcastle 1-1 West Brom (Lukaku)
West Brom are level! This time Lukaku makes no mistake as he heads home from close range. Brilliant from the striker.
The Belgian has missed some chances in this match, but he has always been a threat. Now what do Newcastle do? West Brom have been the better side in the second period thus far.
Lukaku is causing all sorts of problems to Newcastle at the moment. Meanwhile, Morrison and Mulumbu are winning the midfield battle. Is it time for the home side to introduce Cisse?
Just as I say that Cisse gets himself kitted up. The match has been crying out for a change. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining in this one.
The changes are made as Simpson and Ameobi are replaced by Cisse and Gabriel Obertan. Can the subs spur their team on in this match?
First involvement for Obertan as he dances down the right, but McAuley clears the danger. Meanwhile, Lukaku continues to cause Williamson problems with his presence.
Change for the away side as Lukaku is replaced by Shane Long. He has had a solid afternoon of football. Presence has been replaced with pure pace.
Newcastle have just started to enjoy a spell of possession in the last few moments. However, they cannot seem to get Ba and Ben Arfa into the match.
The match has become ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both sides exchanging spells of possession. It is going to take something special to win this match you feel.
Newcastle continue to pass and probe inside the West Brom half. However, Mulumbu has been wonderful in breaking up the play time and time again. Little under 20 minutes remaining.
Bad news for Newcastle as Ba hobbles off to be replaced by Sami Ameobi. Meanwhile, Morrison curls a free kick out of play for West Brom.
Chance! So nearly for West Brom as Odemwingie finds himself in the box, but Coloccini blocks the effort. Both sides are carrying a threat at the moment.
West Brom are the better side as we approach the final 10 minutes of football. However, the threat of Obertan is causing concern on the break.
Newcastle threaten as they force a corner down the left, but McAuley jumps highest to clear the danger. Suddenly the home side look the better team.
The home supporters continue to drive their team on as Ameobi whips a dangerous ball into the box, but Ridgewell clears the danger. Is there a winner left in this match?
This time it's Santon who attacks down the left for Newcastle, but Olsson stands strong to clear the danger. Are we heading for a 1-1 draw in Newcastle?
Again Newcastle come close as Jonas whips a low cross into the box, but Cisse just cannot make contact. West Brom are defending so deep at the moment.
Change for West Brom as Popov replaces Gera. They are just tightening up in the final moments of this match. Little under two minutes remaining.
Ben Arfa fires high and wide for the home side. The referee indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the 90.
West Brom have possession in the Newcastle half with little over one minute remaining. If there is going to be a winner it is going to have to come now.
GOAL! Newcastle 2-1 West Brom (Cisse)
Newcastle score the winner in added time as Ameobi's shot deflects off Cisse and into the net!
Newcastle United 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
So there we have it. West Brom's problems on the road continue as Newcastle move into the top half of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. See you soon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
