West Brom 4, Newcastle United 2
Jan 25 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
There was another tussle in a penalty area, this time between Jerome Thomas and Ryan Taylor in United’s box, and Linington issued a red card and the penalty that plunged a knife into black-and-white hearts.
Such are the margins of error when these two teams meet.
In last Monday’s 2-2 draw at St James’, it was a flash of ineptitude from the usually prolific Ishmael Miller that prevented a first home defeat of the season.
On Saturday it was a refereeing call that could easily have gone the other way.
It was rough justice on United, but their original predicament was entirely of their own making, and similar mistakes on Wednesday against Crystal Palace will do damage to their promotion push.
Hughton had made six changes to last Monday’s team but retained most of his big hitters, making a first-half performance as insipid as any under this manager something of a surprise.
The big alteration in personnel was down the right, where Ryan Taylor and Pancrate struggled to make any sort of impact. The French winger has been given three substantial chances in this Cup run and has failed to take any – suggesting that his wonder goal against Watford may be a cruel mirage.
United failed to gain a foothold in the game and West Brom’s more inventive play earned them a deserved lead when Chris Brunt’s in-swinging corner was nodded home by Olsson.
Jose Enrique – who was superb throughout – hacked the ball clear on the line but linesman Duncan Street flagged for a goal.
The same official was pivotal on the half-hour mark when Tamas Kadar betrayed his inexperience by throwing an arm across Roman Bednar’s chest, prompting a correct call from Street. Dorrans rolled home the penalty to leave United gasping for breath.
Hughton whipped off Pancrate for Ameobi and the response was immediate. The isolated Andrew Carroll was reinvigorated and plundered a terrific goal when he cracked home an exquisite volley from a Jonas Gutierrez cross.
It appeared to be game on – only for Linnington to effectively strangle the Cup tie with his contentious call.
After Dorrans had dispatched his second penalty, Jerome Thomas added a fourth for West Brom before a smart injury-time consolation from Carroll.
It leaves Hughton’s men without a win from their six-day mini-series with promotion rivals West Brom.
Cause for concern? Possibly. United have been handed a stark reminder of their frailties by mobile, slick opponents who will not be shaken off easily in this Championship promotion chase.
