The Hawthorns
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 25,049)
Ben Arfa (12)
Cisse (34)
West Brom 1 Newcastle 3
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At The Hawthorns
West Bromwich Albion 1 (Long 52)
Newcastle United 3 (Cisse 6, 34; Ben Arfa 12)
An outstanding first half display secured Newcastle United a 3-1 win at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon.
Papiss Cisse bagged a brace, sandwiched either side of a Hatem Ben Arfa strike as the visitors ran riot at the Hawthorns before the break..
Cisse tapped home after just six minutes, shortly before Ben Arfa capped a stunning breakaway with an equally impressive finish. And Senegal international Cisse notched his second of the afternoon just past the half hour mark to give the Magpies a lead they fully deserved.
And although Baggies forward Shane Long capitalised on a defensive mix-up to pull one back early in the second period, United held firm to claim an important victory and move them past the 1,000 Premier League points barrier
West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu fired a sighter inside the opening 40 seconds but, from 25 yards, was unable to keep his effort down.
However it was at the other end where either keeper was first called into action. Cisse sprung the offside trap with a run down the left flank, and after jinking past a challenge managed to deliver to the far post.
The hosts' defence managed to head clear but only as far as Demba Ba on the edge of the area, whose bouncing half-volley forced Ben Foster to tip over.
And from the resulting corner United stunned the hosts by making an early breakthrough. Again, the Baggies failed to properly deal with a ball into the box, and Jonas Gutierrez fed Ben Arfa wide on the left.
The French international played a low ball across the face of goal and Cisse was left with the simple task of side-footing home from inside the six-yard box for his fourth goal since arriving in January.
The home side were rattled, and Ben Arfa fired narrowly off target just before doubling United's advantage in the 12th minute.
It was as good a counter attack as you will see all season, turning defence into attack in a matter of seconds. Heading clear a West Brom free-kick deep inside their own area, the visitors broke at devastating pace, with Yohan Cabaye, Cisse and Ben Arfa all combining.
And, in a three-against-two situation, the latter came inside from the right touchline, breezed past a couple of challenges and tucked the ball past the despairing grasp of Foster.
James Morrison attempted to get the Baggies back in contention, but failed to test Tim Krul with a half-volley from distance, while Mulumbu headed Liam Ridgewell's centre narrowly over the top.
It was West Brom's best spell of the match, including a goal ruled out for offside, but on 34 minutes the visitors caught them cold and made it 3-0 thanks to that man Cisse again.
Ba and Ben Arfa played a lovely one-two on the left-side of the area, and although Ba was unable to get on the end of the cut-back, Cisse was well-placed to send a low shot into the back of the net in front of a couple of thousand vociferous Geordies.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was forced into a change at half-time, replacing captain Fabricio Coloccini with Davide Santon, meaning a switch to centre-half for James Perch.
And the reshuffled defence was given an immediate examination as first Morrison fired off target, before Mulumbu had an effort blocked to force a corner.
But the Magpies were always going to be dangerous on the break and Cisse could - and probably should - have sealed his hat-trick in the 50th minute. Set free by Cabaye, the former SC Freiburg man went one-on-one with Foster, but the keeper stayed big and produced an important stop for his side.
West Brom had made a couple of substitutions of their own at the break, one of which was long, and the Republic of Ireland international reduced the deficit seven minutes after the restart.
Marc-Antoine Fortune's long through ball looked easy for the United defence to deal with, but hesitation between Krul and Mike Williamson ended with the latter heading softly into the path of Long, who was left with the easiest of tap-ins.
But still the chances came for the visitors. Ben Arfa picked almost responded in style, picking up the ball on the halfway line and racing towards the edge of the area before seeing his low shot saved by the fingertips of Foster.
On 73 minutes, Cabaye curled a free-kick over the wall but also over the top, after Ba was felled 25 yards out. while the Baggies were dealt a blow soon after as Morrison hobbled off, leaving them with ten men having used all three of their substitutions.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the hosts piled on late pressure in search of a grandstand finish, but Newcastle stood solid for a full seven minutes of added time to claim what could be a priceless win in their search for a Europa League spot.
West Bromwich Albion (4-5-1): Ben Foster; Billy Jones, Gareth McAuley, Jonas Olsson, Liam Ridgewell; Peter Odemwingie, Youssouf Mulumbu (Paul Scharner 74), James Morrison, Keith Andrews (Shane Long 46), Jerome Thomas (Chris Brunt 46); Marc-Antoine Fortune
Subs not used: Luke Daniels, Nicky Shorey, Craig Dawson, Simon Cox
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c) (Davide Santon 46), James Perch; Hatem Ben Arfa (Shola Ameobi 75) , Yohan Cabaye, Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez; Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse (Shane Ferguson 79)
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Mehdi Abeid, Dan Gosling, Haris Vuckic
Referee: Chris Foy (Lancashire)
Attendance: 25,049
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Chris Brunt(West Brom) to far post, resulting in open play.
Cross by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Cross by Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by James Perch(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle).
Cross by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle), clearance by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Liam Ridgewell(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 Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Chris Brunt(West Brom) to far post, clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Shot by Chris Brunt(West Brom) drilled left-footed from left channel (30 yards), blocked by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Olsson(West Brom), clearance by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) on Jonas Olsson(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Chris Brunt(West Brom) from left channel, passed.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Cross by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle), resulting in open play. Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, passed.
Cross by Paul Scharner(West Brom), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle).
Foul by Paul Scharner(West Brom) on Danny Guthrie(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by James Perch(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Newcastle substitution: Papiss Cisse replaced by Shane Ferguson (serious injury).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Chris Brunt(West Brom) to far post, resulting in open play.
Newcastle substitution: Hatem Ben Arfa replaced by Shola Ameobi (tactical).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
West Brom substitution: Youssouf Mulumbu replaced by Paul Scharner (tactical).
Foul by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from right channel (25 yards), over the bar.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Shot by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom) right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Shane Long(West Brom). Mike Williamson(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick crossed left-footed by Chris Brunt(West Brom) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Foul by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom) on Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Cross by Demba Ba(Newcastle), clearance by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) left-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Cross by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom), resulting in open play.
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Jonas Olsson(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Jonas Olsson(West Brom) from own half, passed.
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) curled right-footed from left channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) to near post, save (caught) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (parried) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Shane Long(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison(West Brom) to centre, header by Jonas Olsson(West Brom) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (tipped round post) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Goal by Shane Long(West Brom) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).West Brom 1-3 Newcastle. Assist (pass) by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) from right wing.
Goal by Shane Long(West Brom) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).West Brom 1-3 Newcastle.
Foul by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) on James Perch(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Billy Jones(West Brom), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Cross by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), save (parried) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison(West Brom) to near post, clearance by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Cross by Billy Jones(West Brom), clearance by Davide Santon(Newcastle). Shot by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Shot by James Morrison(West Brom) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Foul by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
West Brom substitution: Jerome Thomas replaced by Chris Brunt (tactical).West Brom substitution: Keith Andrews replaced by Shane Long (tactical).Newcastle substitution: Fabricio Coloccini replaced by Davide Santon (tactical).
Cross by Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by James Perch(Newcastle).
Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, passed.
Foul by Keith Andrews(West Brom) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by James Perch(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, passed.
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Goal by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) left-footed (bottom-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).West Brom 0-3 Newcastle. Assist (pass) by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) from left side of penalty area.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by James Perch(Newcastle).
Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom) on Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by James Perch(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison(West Brom) to far post, clearance by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle).
Cross by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Cross by Billy Jones(West Brom), clearance by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Cross by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom), header by Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Keith Andrews(West Brom) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Foul by Billy Jones(West Brom) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left channel, clearance by Keith Andrews(West Brom).
Foul by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) on James Morrison(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Jonas Olsson(West Brom) from own half, passed.
Defending throw-in by James Perch(Newcastle).
Foul by Billy Jones(West Brom) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Billy Jones(West Brom), header by Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom).
Cross by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) volleyed right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom), resulting in open play. Shot by James Morrison(West Brom) volleyed right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison(West Brom) to far post, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison(West Brom) to near post, clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by James Perch(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison(West Brom) to far post, header by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison(West Brom) to near post, clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Goal by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).West Brom 0-2 Newcastle. Assist (pass) by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) from right channel.
Cross by Keith Andrews(West Brom), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by James Perch(Newcastle).
Foul by Keith Andrews(West Brom) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by James Perch(Newcastle).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by James Morrison(West Brom).
Goal by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).West Brom 0-1 Newcastle. Assist (cross) by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) from left side of penalty area.
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Cross by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle), clearance by Gareth McAuley(West Brom).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom).
Cross by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle), clearance by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom). Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), save (tipped over) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Marc-Antoine Fortune(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Billy Jones(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) drilled right-footed from left channel (30 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).