Cisse (90 +3)
St. James' Park
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 49,731)
Newcastle 2 West Bromwich Albion 1
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At St. James' Park
Newcastle United 2 (Ba 35, Cisse 90)
West Bromwich Albion 1 (Lukaku 55)
Substitute Papiss Cisse came off the bench to net an injury-time winner as Newcastle United recorded a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at St. James' Park on Sunday.
It was arguably the most fortuitous goal of the Senegalese front man's career, as fellow replacement Sammy Ameobi's long-range strike deflected off the back of Cisse to wrongfoot Baggies stopper Ben Foster.
It looked as though the Premier League fixture was going to end all square, after Romelu Lukaku cancelled out Demba Ba's seventh goal of the season.
The big striker latched on to Shola Ameobi's flick midway through the first half to thump the Magpies into a deserved lead, having dominated proceedings up until the break.
But it was a game of two halves as Albion took charge of the second period and duly equalised when Lukaku nodded in at the far post.
Chances came and went at either end as the game became increasingly frantic, but Newcastle received a stroke of luck with just seconds remaining.
A scrappy opening period saw both sides unable to keep possession for a decent lenght of time, and on a slick surface it took 11 minutes for the game's first chance to be fashioned.
However, Yohan Cabaye dragged a low 20-yard effort well wide after some decent build-up play.
That seemed to spark the Magpies into life though, and less than 60 seconds later they should have been in front.
The ball was spread out wide to Shola Ameobi on the right flank, who took a touch before delivering an inch-perfect cross towards Ba at the far post.
United's six-goal leading scorer had lost his marker but, stooping slightly to connect, he nodded wide of the upright when everyone inside St. James' Park expected him to at least hit the target.
Davide Santon was next to try his luck, firing in a 35-yard bouncing shot which Baggies keeper Ben Foster did well to turn behind.
And the pressure continued as Shola Ameobi rose highest to meet the resulting Cabaye corner, only to plant his header straight at Foster.
It had been almost one-way traffic, but in the 25th minute Tim Krul was called into action to prevent Lukaku from breaking the deadlock.
The visitors turned defence into attack in an instant - one second defending a corner and the next breaking at pace. The move ended with Lukaku racing in one-on-one with Krul, but the Dutch stopper stayed big and deflected the ball to safety.
Zoltan Gera also planted a free-kick over the top, but the action was soon back down the other end when Hatem Ben Arfa raced away from four challenges before feeding Shola Ameobi on the edge of the area, who could only blaze high into the Sir John Hall Stand behind the goal.
The pressure had almost exclusively been on the West Brom goal and their rearguard was finally breached on 35 minutes.
It wasn't pretty and it won't win any awards but no-one of a black and white persuasion will care as Newcastle went route on to get their noses in front.
Krul's long punt forward was flicked on by Shola Ameobi, and Ba used his strength to hold off the attentions of the Baggies' defence before hammering a shot past the helpless Foster.
The visitors tried to hit back but Krul excelled again five minutes before half-time.
It was almost a carbon copy of the earlier situation, with Lukaku released behind the Magpies' backline, and there was an identical outcome with Krul holding his nerve to beat away the on-loan Chelsea man's strike.
The Baggies made a bright start to the second half and Lukaku - with his third chance of the match - got his first goal and put Albion back on level terms.
Gera was given time on the edge of the box and dinked a cross to the far post where the big Belgian had peeled off his marker to nod home.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew responded with a double substitution of attacking intentions. Off came Danny Simpson and Shola Ameobi, with Cisse and Gabriel Obertan replacing them.
That meant a slight reshuffle, with Santon moving to right-back, Jonas Gutierrez dropping into the left-side of the defence and Obertan taking up a role wide on the left flank.
But it failed to pay any immediate dividends, as United struggled to break down a resilient second half West Brom defence.
Ba hobbled off midway through the second period, replaced by Sammy Ameobi, but the visitors were still in charge.
Substitute Markus Rosenberg, sliding in, narrowly failed to get on the end of a right wing cross which flew across the six-yard box, while fellow replacement Shane Long was causing all sorts of problems with his pace, just as he did in the same fixture last term.
At the other end, with time running out Obertan and Cisse almost combined for the latter to nod in a close range winner, while captain Fabricio Coloccini had a chance taken off his forehead at the last second.
Ben Arfa sent a rising long-range drive over the top and it looked like any hope of three points had gone for the Magpies.
However, with the game deep into stoppage time, referee Chris Foy played an excellent advantage as Ben Arfa was brought down. Sammy Ameobi picked up the loose ball and shot goalwards, with his effort striking the back of Cisse and nestling in the far corner, leaving Foster stranded.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson (Papiss Cisse 61), Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, James Perch, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Shola Ameobi (Gabriel Obertan 61), Demba Ba (Sammy Ameobi 73)
Subs not used: Steve Harper, Shane Ferguson, Steven Taylor, Vurnon Anita
West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1): Ben Foster; Gabriel Tamas, Gareth McAuley, Jonas Olsson, Liam Ridgewell; Youssouf Mulumbu, James Morrison; Peter Odemwingie, Zoltan Gera (Goran Popov 88), Graham Dorrans (Markus Rosenberg 72); Romelu Lukaku (Shane Long 65)
Subs not used: Luke Daniels, Gonzalo Jara Reyes, Yassine El Ghanassy, Marc-Antoine Fortune
Referee: Chris Foy (Lancashire)
Bookings: Newcastle - Perch (44), Cabaye (69), Gutierrez (77); West Bromwich Albion - Mulumbu (50), Ridgewell (53)
Attendance: 49,731 (1,400 West Bromwich Albion)
Goal by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) (low centre of goal) from left side of penalty area (18 yards).Newcastle 2-1 West Brom. Assist by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle) from left channel.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Shane Long(West Brom). Free kick crossed right-footed by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) from left wing, clearance by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Cross by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) to near post, clearance by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Cross by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle), save (caught) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. West Brom substitution: Zoltan Gera replaced by Goran Popov (tactical). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Foul by James Perch(Newcastle) on Shane Long(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Jonas Olsson(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Shot by James Morrison(West Brom) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Cross by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle), clearance by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Markus Rosenberg(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shane Long(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play. Defending throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle), clearance by Gareth McAuley(West Brom). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to far post, clearance by Zoltan Gera(West Brom).
Shane Long(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Cross by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom), resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Foul by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) on Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom). Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Zoltan Gera(West Brom) to far post, header by Gareth McAuley(West Brom) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Graham Dorrans(West Brom). West Brom substitution: Graham Dorrans replaced by Markus Rosenberg (injury).Newcastle substitution: Demba Ba replaced by Sammy Ameobi (injury). Free kick crossed right-footed by Zoltan Gera(West Brom) from left wing, resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Gareth McAuley(West Brom).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Shane Long(West Brom). Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Jonas Olsson(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle), save (caught) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Shane Long(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) caught offside. West Brom substitution: Romelu Lukaku replaced by Shane Long (tactical). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Danny Simpson replaced by Papiss Cisse (tactical).Newcastle substitution: Shola Ameobi replaced by Gabriel Obertan (tactical).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Romelu Lukaku(West Brom), clearance by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by James Morrison(West Brom) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Davide Santon(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Headed goal by Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) (low centre of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).Newcastle 1-1 West Brom. Assist (cross) by Zoltan Gera(West Brom) from left channel.
Foul by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) on Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom). Direct free kick taken right-footed by James Morrison(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by James Perch(Newcastle) on Zoltan Gera(West Brom). Direct free kick taken right-footed by James Morrison(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Liam Ridgewell(West Brom) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Foul by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) on Liam Ridgewell(West Brom). Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jonas Olsson(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), save (caught) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Foul by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) on Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jonas Olsson(West Brom) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle).
Foul by James Perch(Newcastle) on James Morrison(West Brom). James Perch(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick crossed right-footed by Zoltan Gera(West Brom) from right channel, clearance by Demba Ba(Newcastle).
Shot by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom) drilled right-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Romelu Lukaku(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).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Foul by Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) on James Perch(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Zoltan Gera(West Brom) to centre, clearance by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle).
Goal by Demba Ba(Newcastle) volleyed right-footed (high centre of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 1-0 West Brom. Assist (pass) by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) from right channel.
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Foul by Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) on Mike Williamson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), shot by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Shot by Davide Santon(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (30 yards), blocked by Peter Odemwingie(West Brom).
Foul by James Perch(Newcastle) on Graham Dorrans(West Brom). Free kick taken right-footed by Zoltan Gera(West Brom) curled from right channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Foul by Jonas Olsson(West Brom) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Zoltan Gera(West Brom) to centre, clearance by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to far post, clearance by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Cross by Romelu Lukaku(West Brom), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle). Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
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 Davide Santon(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (30 yards), save (parried) by Ben Foster(West Brom). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, header by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) from left side of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Foul by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left wing, clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom). Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on James Morrison(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), clearance by Jonas Olsson(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Cross by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle), resulting in open play. Header by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from left side of penalty area (6 yards), missed left.
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom). Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster(West Brom).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Shot by Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Youssouf Mulumbu(West Brom) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell(West Brom).
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
Romelu Lukaku(West Brom) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Romelu Lukaku(West Brom), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle). Attacking throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Gabriel Tamas(West Brom).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) on Liam Ridgewell(West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster(West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.