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West
Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 11th May 2003, 3.00pm. |
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The last Premiership
match at the Hawthorns for at least a season turned out to be quite
exciting after a fairly drab first half. With nothing riding on
the game and Albion fans always ripe for a celebration in adversity,
it was a party atmosphere. Coupled with that, it was likely to be
Bob Taylor's last game for the club as Megson gave him the Premiership
start in an Albion shirt that he and many fans had been craving
all season.
Dichio lined up alongside Taylor with Dobie and Roberts on the bench.
Sigurdsson returned to line up with James Chambers and Wallwork
in defence with Lyttle preferred to Balis at right wing back.
The visitors started strongly with good opportunities wasted by
Dyer and Lua Lua, and an Ameobi goal ruled out for offside. After
a Clement free kick went wide, AJ missed (what a surprise) an excellent
chance when he was put through by McInnes. Johnson's lob beat Given
but could only find the top of the net.
Taylor's farewell appearance was cut short as he had to leave the
pitch on 31 minutes due to a knee injury. The whole ground applauded
as he was substituted by Dobie. The former Carlisle man went on
to have one of his best games of the season.
The first half petered out, but there was time for Albion to concede
their customary pre-half time goal. A Solano corner was met by the
head of JENAS, who resisted a half-hearted challenge from Clement
to score. It was almost two in stoppage time as Hoult saved well
from Lua Lua.
The second half was a much more exciting affair with end-to-end
football as both sides relaxed. Newcastle threatened first as Ameobi
hit the bar from another Solano corner with Dyer slicing the rebound
well wide. Ameobi came close again minutes later when he latched
onto Solano's through ball, rounded Hoult and saw his shot cleared
off the line by Chambers.
Albion's first clear opportunity of the second half cam on 55 minutes
when Dobie was sent clear by Dichio but saw his shot saved by the
legs of Shay Given. Two minutes later, he was again on the shoulders
of the United defence and a ball from McInnes looped over the defenders
into the path of the striker. This time, DOBIE made no mistake as
he beat Given with a neat finish.
The visitors responded with a period of pressure which saw two great
saves from Hoult from Viana and Caldwell. But, on 72 minutes, Albion
responded again as DOBIE was put through once more by McInnes, and
he finished with a sublime curling finish in off Given's left had
post.
After Lua Lua missed an excellent opportunity to level, Albion conceded
a free kick 25 yards from goal. VIANA stepped up an curled a superb
shot over the wall into the top corner of the net.
So the Baggies missed out on a farewell victory, but certainly put
in a good performance and remained unbeaten for the last two games!!
And so to our new (temporary) residence in the Nationwide.
RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 NEWCASTLE
UNITED 2
Marks
Hoult - 8 - Excellent performance.
Lyttle - 6 - Steady.
Clement - 6 - At fault for the first goal, but otherwise OK.
Sigurdsson - 7 - Another good game from Siggy.
Wallwork - 6 - Did OK.
J Chambers - 8 - Excellent performance.
Johnson - 5 - Another poor game from AJ.
Koumas - 7 - Good showing.
McInnes - 7 - Another good game.
Taylor - 6 - Did little in this game, but he's been a star for ten
years.
Dichio - 6 - Did OK.
Dobie - 9 - MOM. Superb game, two great goals.
Udeze - 5 - Iffy.
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West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Sigurdsson, J Chambers (Udeze 81), Wallwork; Lyttle, Koumas,
Johnson, McInnes, Clement; Taylor (Dobie 31), Dichio. Subs not used:
J Murphy (GK), Balis, Roberts.
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Newcastle
United (4-4-2):
Given; Griffin, O'Brien, Caldwell, Hughes; Solano (Ambrose 76),
Dyer (Kerr 90), Jenas, Viana; Lua Lua (Chopra 82), Ameobi. Subs
not used: Harper (GK), Bramble. |
Scoring: Jenas (43)
0-1, Dobie (57) 1-1, Dobie (72) 2-1, Viana (80) 2-2.
Bookings: None.
Referee: G Barber (Tring)
Attendance: 27,036 |
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