Newcastle United 1 - West Bromwich Albion 1

Date: Saturday 9th May 2015 
Competition: Barclays Premier League
Newcastle:
6.0
WBA:
6.8
Myhill 7.3, Dawson 6.9, McAuley 6.4, Olsson 6.6, Lescott 6.4, Gardner 6.4 (Berahino, 69 6.7), Fletcher 6.3, Mulumbu 5.3 (Morrison, 55 6.0), Yacob 7.0, Brunt 7.3, Anichebe 6.9 (McManaman, 78 6.0)
Unused subs: Rose, Wisdom, Baird, Ideye
Manager: Tony Pulis 6.5
Scorers: Anichebe (32)
Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens) 4.3
Attendance: 47,894   Home Fans 5.0   Away Fans 7.8

oshawabaggie:

Phewwwwww!!! Not sure my heart could stand many more games like we've had to watch in the last couple of months, so it's a huge relief to know we are finally safe.

That game could have gone either way, but in the end we did enough to deserve at least a draw and thanks to Burnley also, we can now enjoy the last couple of games.

Some of the midfield possession was horrible again. Giveaways all over the place put a lot of unnecessary pressure on the defence.

Let's hope the ownership situation gets sorted quickly and Pulis can get on with reshaping the team. Two fullbacks, two strikers and a creative midfielder are the absolute minimum. Speed and passing ability are vital to refresh this team.

But the bottom line for now is 'well done Pulis and the lads'.

Mark Koppel:

Back from a rather long 450 mile round trip but worth it to see us get the vital point. Could have been 3 points as in the end we had the clearer chances.

Apologies though in advance about the accuracy of this report because the Away Fans at The Sports Direct Arena are so far from the play you are not always sure what is happening at the far end. For example, Sick Vic apparently got his first away league goal for us!

  • Myhill 7 - Had little to do all day apart from one save in injury time which he dealt with no problems
  • Dawson 7 - Was up against their best player on the day so as a result should be given credit as he wasn't taken to the cleaners like he was against Leicester.
  • Ollie 7 - Full of courage, great blocks and last gasp tackles. His distribution was better on the floor than in the air though yesterday.
  • Mac 7 - Simply solid.
  • Lescott 6 - Out of position at left back and this showed when he tried to get forward. He simply has not got the pace to do this.
  • Yacob 7 - Pretty good again this week. Great pass to Dawson that led to the free kick which we scored from. Did do another 2 footed jump tackle again at one point which if not eradicated will get him in trouble again next season.
  • Mulumbu 5- As per Man Utd game, the slowest of our midfield and kept losing the ball in dangerous positions. He gave the free kick away that led to the goal as he was caught flat footed. Has been a loyal servant over the years but needs to be moved out in the summer, sorry.
  • Fletcher 6 - Yesterday he actually had a better second half than first half. Started to come forward in the last 25 mins and created the chance for Gardner.
  • Gardner 7 - Tries all day long and for that he gets a 7. Probably should have done a little better with his chance from Fletcher's great pass.
  • Sick Vic 7 - Great headed goal as he was surrounded by 3 defenders. Combined quite well with Saido when they were both on.
  • Brunt 7 - Born Again Brunt. Looked good again and this time back in midfield. Hit the bar when probably should have scored in the second half.

Subs-

  • Player of the Season 6 - Started to move the ball around when he came on and cause Sports Direct problems. Didn't look fit though and as a result lost possession a couple of times.
  • Saido 7 - Didn't take his 2/3 chances but his got into the game straight away and really started to make a difference. Very strong on the ball holding off players and I think if fit enough to start would have won us the game.
  • Calum Mac 6 - Not on for long but showed us he is the best player we have at taking on opponents. Got hacked down really badly at one point that looked like a red from where we were looking 3 miles away!
  • Baird 0 - Apparently he didn't make his normal 3 minute appearance???