Ba (81)
Sports Direct Arena
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 51,060)
McAuley (44)
Scharner (85)
Vuckic: 'A Dream Come True'
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
When a 16-year-old Haris Vuckic left Slovenia for the North-East of England almost three years ago, he did so to "live his dream" of playing in the greatest league in the world, the Barclays Premier League.
And as he prepared to make his first top-flight start for Newcastle United against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night, Vuckic admitted that his dream was now about to come true.
The attacking midfielder, still only 19, starts in place of the suspended Yohan Cabaye at the Sports Direct Arena having previously made three substitute appearances this term, against Scunthorpe and Fulham in August and Swansea last Saturday.
It will be a proud moment for the Ljubljana-born youngster, who has made plenty of sacrifices to get to this stage as well as battling back from several injury setbacks since making his Magpies debut in August 2009. And he spoke exclusively to nufc.co.uk about being named in Alan Pardew's starting XI to face the Baggies.
"I'm very excited and a little bit nervous," he said. "But I think once the game starts I will build my confidence from minute to minute, so I can't wait for the game.
"I've always trained hard to get my chance for the first-team, and I've finally got that chance. So I'm really happy and I'll try my best to play good and get more chances.
"I can't wait to see the fans because it'll be the first time I've ran out through the tunnel with the first-team, so that's really exciting."
Vuckic joined United in January 2009 from NK Domzale and scored on his Reserve team debut against Blackburn a month later, while also excelling for the under-18s. And he won the player of the tournament award at the Foca Cup in Bosnia that May, scoring five goals in three games as United's juniors lifted the trophy.
That led to him making his senior bow against Huddersfield in the Carling Cup under Chris Hughton at the start of the following season, before his first league appearance came five days later against Leicester, again as a substitute.
But then injury struck and he was ruled out for most of the Coca Cola Championship-winning campaign, although he came on in the final game at QPR. He was on the bench at Old Trafford on the opening day of last season and started all three of the Magpies' Carling Cup ties, but then he suffered another set-back. And even this term, he broke his hand just minutes after his introduction again Fulham.
Vuckic said: "For the last two seasons, I've had bad injuries. I came close to the first-team and played some games in the Carling Cup, and the manager told me 'you're close, you just have to keep fit.' But I was unlucky. It was a really tough time because I couldn't stay fit.
"I was unlucky with my knee, my ankle and my hand. But it's okay now and I'm just looking forward to this game. I've forgotten about my injuries now. It's important for me and hopefully I will do good.
"I've had three years here without my family and away from home, all so I could live my dream - and it's finally come true. I have a chance to play in the first-team in the Premier League, so I'm really happy."
One of Alan Pardew's first actions as Newcastle manager was to extend Vuckic's contact until the summer of 2016, claiming he was a player of "real potential," which showed just how highly he rated the Slovenian starlet.
Now Pardew has placed his trust in the youngster once more by giving him his full Barclays Premier League debut, and Vuckic said: "It's really good that the gaffer believes in me and that he has the confidence to put me in.
"I've tried to prove myself to him in training, take on board what he's said and do my best. He's a good manager and he's taught me a lot of things.
"But I still need to keep going. This is one game. It's good, it's something special but I still need to train hard and keep my feet on the ground."
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), clearance by Gareth McAuley(West Brom).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) curled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Shane Long(West Brom), shot by George Thorne(West Brom) drilled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar.
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), shot by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Cross by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle), save (parried) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Peter Odemwingie(West Brom). Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Graham Dorrans(West Brom) from right wing, passed.
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Shot by Chris Brunt(West Brom) lobbed left-footed from left channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), resulting in open play. Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to short, resulting in open play.
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) volleyed right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), save (tipped round post) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Shot by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Cross by Graham Dorrans(West Brom), goal by Paul Scharner(West Brom) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 2-3 West Brom. Assist (header) by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) from left side of penalty area.
Shane Long(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Chris Brunt(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Shane Long(West Brom).
Shot by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (tipped over) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), resulting in open play. Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), save (caught) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Goal by Demba Ba(Newcastle) drilled right-footed (top-right of goal) from right side of penalty area (18 yards).Newcastle 2-2 West Brom. Assist (pass) by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) from left channel.
Foul by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) on Paul Scharner(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Graham Dorrans(West Brom), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Shane Long(West Brom) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
West Brom substitution: Youssouf Mulumbu replaced by George Thorne (injury).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Goal kick taken short by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Chris Brunt(West Brom) curled left-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left.
Foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Shane Long(West Brom). Free kick crossed right-footed by Graham Dorrans(West Brom) from left channel, clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Newcastle substitution: Gabriel Obertan replaced by Shola Ameobi (tactical).
Shot by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left.
Shot by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) volleyed left-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (30 yards), missed right.
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Gareth McAuley(West Brom).
Foul by Shane Long(West Brom) on James Perch(Newcastle). West Brom substitution: Jerome Thomas replaced by Graham Dorrans (tactical). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to short, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Shane Long(West Brom).
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to centre, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Gareth McAuley(West Brom).
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), blocked by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), clearance by Chris Brunt(West Brom).
Cross by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle), resulting in open play. Leon Best(Newcastle) caught offside. Newcastle substitution: Leon Best replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa (tactical). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Foul by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) on Cheick Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), clearance by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Cross by Demba Ba(Newcastle), clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Cross by Jerome Thomas(West Brom), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Nicky Shorey(West Brom), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Chris Brunt(West Brom) to near post, clearance by Leon Best(Newcastle).
Shot by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) drilled left-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Shot by Leon Best(Newcastle) curled left-footed from right channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Cross by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom), shot by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Shane Long(West Brom).
Shot by Shane Long(West Brom) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), hit bar.
Foul by Shane Long(West Brom) on Cheick Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by James Perch(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Chris Brunt(West Brom) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Foul by Billy Jones(West Brom) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Jerome Thomas(West Brom), blocked by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) curled right-footed from left channel (18 yards), missed right.
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Shot by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Shane Long(West Brom).
Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) to centre, resulting in open play.
Shot by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Gareth McAuley(West Brom).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Gareth McAuley(West Brom).
Jerome Thomas(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Newcastle substitution: Davide Santon replaced by Ryan Taylor (tactical).
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), hit bar.
Foul by Demba Ba(Newcastle) on Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Chris Brunt(West Brom) from right channel, headed goal by Gareth McAuley(West Brom) (low centre of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).Newcastle 1-2 West Brom. Assist (header) by Paul Scharner(West Brom) from left side of penalty area.
Cross by Chris Brunt(West Brom), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Chris Brunt(West Brom).
Foul by Demba Ba(Newcastle) on Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Shot by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Jerome Thomas(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Davide Santon(Newcastle) on Jerome Thomas(West Brom). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Billy Jones(West Brom) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), header by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Foul by Paul Scharner(West Brom) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Foul by Jerome Thomas(West Brom) on Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle). Free kick scored by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed (top-right of goal) from left channel (25 yards).Newcastle 1-1 West Brom. Assist by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) from left channel.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Foul by Shane Long(West Brom) on James Perch(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Cross by Jerome Thomas(West Brom), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Chris Brunt(West Brom) drilled left-footed from left channel (30 yards), blocked by James Perch(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Shane Long(West Brom).
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), blocked by Chris Brunt(West Brom).
Cross by Chris Brunt(West Brom), save (punched) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Header by Shane Long(West Brom) from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by James Perch(Newcastle) on Shane Long(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Chris Brunt(West Brom) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Foul by Jonas Olsson(West Brom) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), resulting in open play. Leon Best(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) curled left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from right side of penalty area (18 yards).Newcastle 0-1 West Brom. Assist (pass) by Chris Brunt(West Brom) from own half.
Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), header by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Chris Brunt(West Brom), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) to far post, resulting in ball out of play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by James Perch(Newcastle) on Shane Long(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Nicky Shorey(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Davide Santon(Newcastle) on Jerome Thomas(West Brom). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Gareth McAuley(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Shot by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) volleyed right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right.
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
West Brom substitution: Steven Reid replaced by Billy Jones (injury).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Foul by Steven Reid(West Brom) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Free kick crossed left-footed by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).