Newcastle United failed to gain the crucial three points that they needed to boost their bid to stay in the Premier League, but a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion this afternoon ended their eight-game losing run.
Victor Anichebe gave the Baggies the lead against the run of play at St James' Park, but Ayoze Perez responded with a strike before the break to bring the scoreline level.
The Magpies threw everything at it to get the winner in the second half, but it was not to be as they remain two points above the relegation zone.
Below, Sports Mole dissects the action that unfolded and assesses whether the result was fair.
Match statistics
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Shots: 15
On target: 5
Possession: 61%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 11
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Shots: 8
On target: 3
Possession: 39%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 17
Was the result fair?
Newcastle had the majority of possession and more threats on goal, and to concede when they did was unfair as it was against the run of play. Overall, though, West Brom also deserved something out of the game. The onus was on the home side to come out firing as they try to steer themselves away from relegation and, with the Baggies safe from the drop, they appeared content to hold back and frustrate their opponents.
As the game went on, West Brom had some good opportunities to take the lead, but they failed to make the most of the chances that they created and neither side will be unhappy with a point based on the balance of play.
Newcastle's performance
The Magpies are desperate for points - not only because they are lingering dangerously near the drop zone, but because they had lost eight games on the trot. In the early stages of the encounter, they were given plenty of time on the ball, but they lacked quality going forward, and any attempts to get in the box were largely thwarted by the Baggies' stubborn attitude.
After going a goal down, the tempo increased from the home side and their pressing eventually paid off when Perez drove home a decent strike from in the box. At times in the second half, Newcastle launched wave upon wave of attack, but once again that clinical edge and bit of quality was missing.
West Brom's performance
West Brom headed to St James' Park with the intent to frustrate and block Newcastle's attacks. They were relatively successful in doing so, but, with the game all square at 1-1 after the break, Tony Pulis's side seemed to put on a more attacking display in a bid to snatch all three points.
With Anichebe starting, it was clear that he was going to be a target man for long balls and his ability to hold the ball up well came to use. In the second half, Saido Berahino entered the field, but his barren run in front of goal continued as he failed to make much of an impact. When a decent opportunity came his way, his effort was poor by his standards.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Paul Dummett: For someone who was called upon to play in the centre of defence, Dummett put on an impressive display for Newcastle. He was strong in the air when balls were hurled into the box and he committed some well-timed challenges to keep West Brom at bay.
Biggest gaffe
There was a dangerous moment when Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul came off his line and missed the ball completely, but the head-scratching moment of the match came when Ryan Taylor lined up to take a free kick in a decent area in West Brom's half, but he ended up taking it quickly and passing it into no-man's land. A good opportunity to create a second goal for Newcastle was wasted.
Referee performance
John Carver's was not Chris Foy's biggest fan this afternoon as the Newcastle boss appeared visibly frustrated with some of the referee's decisions. The coach fumed when his side were not awarded a corner kick and at one point seemed reluctant to let go of the ball when West Brom were given a throw-in instead of his side. Foy issued five yellow cards during the match and, while he had some issues to contend with, there was nothing major that would have affected the outcome of the game.
What next?
Newcastle: A trip to face Queens Park Rangers awaits the Magpies next Saturday.
West Brom: The Baggies will host Premier League champions Chelsea at The Hawthorns next Monday.
Danielle Joynson
