WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 NEwCASTLE UNITED 2
Newcastle United - Perez 45', Coloccini 62'
Man of the match - Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)
West Bromwich // The last time Newcastle United won five successive games, they were on their way to fifth place in the English Premier League, and Alan Pardew was about to receive the Manager-of-the-Year award.
It is an exaggeration to say a repeat is on the cards, but a remarkable revival continues.
Newcastle sit seventh. The manager United supporters hoped to see sacked overcame the one their West Bromwich Albion counterparts hoped would not be appointed, Alan Irvine.
If both managerial Alans have shown that a democratic vote might not be the best way to run a football club, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has never given the impression of caring what others thought.
“Everyone was pulling at him when we weren’t winning any games and he stuck with me and was very supportive, particularly after the Southampton game,” said Pardew, whose side lost 4-0 at St Mary’s during a run of one win in 15 games.
“I like to think that buys you a bit of time. It bought me just enough time, perhaps, on this occasion.”
He has used it to effect a spectacular transformation in Newcastle’s fortunes.
There is rarely a middle ground – his career has included wretched runs and superb spells.
Now they are the division’s in-form club and their margin of victory could have been greater.
The game yesterday was bookended by near misses. Sammy Ameobi clipped the bar with a dipping 20-yard shot, while Ben Foster, who was almost motionless, made a spectacular save to deny Ayoze Perez a late goal.
The Spaniard had already delivered his third goal in as many games.
His signing passed almost unnoticed outside Tyneside, but he has been a revelation, and he supplied a lovely back-heeled flick after Moussa Sissoko, Mehdi Abeid and Remy Cabella were all involved in a neat passing move that culminated in Daryl Janmaat delivering a low cross.
“That goal was worthy of winning any game,” Pardew said. “That is outstanding.”
The Dutch right-back Janmaat recorded a second assist with a cross that was headed in by captain Fabricio Coloccini.
Both creator and finisher are defenders who should savour the statistics showing that Newcastle have conceded once in those five games.
“Our shape is giving us great protection,” Pardew said.
A stunning rise has been based on solidity, even if feelings tend to fluctuate rather more on Tyneside.
“Newcastle are an extreme of any fan,” Pardew said. “Their emotion when they win: they go mad. When they lose, they go mad, too.”
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