Newcastle United won their fourth Premier League match in a row, clinching a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns this afternoon.
Ayoze Perez broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time, before Fabricio Coloccini headed in after the restart.
The result leaves Newcastle seventh in the table heading into the international break.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the outcome:
Match statistics
West Brom
Shots: 10
On target: 2
Possession: 58%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 12
Newcastle
Shots: 8
On target: 3
Possession: 42%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 6
Was the result fair?
West Brom will probably feel a bit aggrieved to have lost when they look at the statistics. Barring two brilliant balls into the box from Daryl Janmaat, which led to both of the Newcastle goals, there was little between the two sides. The Baggies came close to equalising a couple of times early in the second half, and on another day would have been able to secure a draw. Newcastle did look the better of the two sides once they had opened up their two-goal cushion, but a draw would have been a fair result this afternoon.
West Brom's performance
West Brom came closest to opening the scoring in the first half, and had probably looked the stronger of the two prior to Ayoze Perez's goal, but they struggled to get the ball to Saido Berahino in the second half and failed to take advantage of some sloppy defending from the visitors at the start of the second period. The home side defended solidly for much of the match, but struggled to contain Janmaat in particular, allowing him through to set up both of the goals.
Newcastle's performance
The visitors got off the a slow start, having just one shot on target in the first half, but it did result in the goal for Perez just before the break. They looked stretched after the restart while the Baggies were pushing to get back on level terms, but some bright individual performances from Fabricio Coloccini and Janmaat prevented the hosts from finding an equaliser. They never really dominated the match, but did make the most of their chances, scoring from two of their three on-target efforts to maintain their winning run.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Daryl Janmaat: The Dutch international was superb defensively and in attack this afternoon, setting up Perez with a well-timed ball into the box just before the break, before a stunning cross in the second half provided Coloccini with his goal. Particularly late on, Janmaat made a string of blocks and clearances at the back as well to ensure that Newcastle did not let West Brom back into the tie.
Biggest gaffe West Brom finished the match strongly, and a goal in the 80th minute would have surely given them a chance for a point. When Andre Wisdom found himself in space in the box it looked like the home side would be in luck, but the on-loan defender smashed his finish both high and wide.
Referee performance
To be honest, there was not all that much for Craig Pawson to do this afternoon. There was not a single booking during the match, and only a few heavy tackles, but the official spoke to the players and warned them to keep it clean, and they listened, giving him an easy afternoon.
What next?
West Brom: After the international break, West Brom face a trip to league leaders Chelsea.
Newcastle: Newcastle host Queens Park Rangers in two weekends' time.
Sian Cowper
