Three - nil was very harsh on Albion, but as been said many times before, it was ultimately quality that divided the two teams. You could almost say that the difference was £13 million - the difference in transfer fees between Robert Earnshaw and Michael Owen. Both had good chances, Owen took his, Earnie did not.

It may seem simplistic to reduce the game to such a level, but until Newcastle scored their second goal, the game was still up for grabs. Albion were arguably the better side in the first half and had some long spells of pressure without really creating any clear-cut opportunities. And after the first goal, the home side came close to equalising on a number of occasions. The result was disappointing, but I thought Albion played some good stuff and I'd like to think they've turned the corner, especially given the players missing today.

Newcastle started the stronger side but the home defence stood solid with Curtis Davies and Darren Moore both kept on their toes. Albion soon got going and started to take the game to Newcastle forcing a number of corners with some neat attacking play. Inamoto, making his home debut some 14 months after joining the club, was performing well alongside an impressive Steve Watson in the middle of the park and Kanu and Earnshaw were linking up well. But the defences remained largely on top and it wasn't until the 37th minute that either 'keeper was forced into a serious save when Kuszczak kept Owen's close range effort out.

The second half started abysmally for the Baggies as the visitors took the lead inside 30 seconds. N'Zogbia broke down the left and with Scimeca giving him far too much space, he whipped the ball into the near post where Owen got across Moore and poked the ball into the roof of the net.

The Albion heads didn't go down and they started to apply some real pressure on the Newcastle defence. Earnie went close on several occasions as his pace was beginning to trouble the Newcastle back line. The best chance came when he swivelled in the box to shoot only to see the ball cannon of Given clear of the goal. He had further efforts on goal, one shot from 20 yards just wide and another effort from an angle that Given did well to palm wide.

At the other end, Albion had one scare when Inamoto had to head off the line, but all else was comfortable until they grabbed their second goal. It was similar to the first, although from the other side, and it was substitute Kieron Dyer who supplied the cross and Owen, whose near-post run was not tracked by Davies, finished with ease.

Newcastle were able to keep possession for much of the remaining game and added a third, another near-post cross, this time from Ramage, and it was Shearer who got in front of Owen to score.

It was a disappointing end to what was, for the most part, a promising performance. Newcastle seemed devoid of ideas on how to break Albion down in the first half, but once they found the near-post route to goal, they exploited it mercilessly. The midfield generally worked well as a unit with Watson and Inamoto particularly impressive. Considering Albion were missing Kirkland, Robinson, Albrechtsen and Kamara, four of the best performers this term, it was a good display. And given that the crosses for the goals all came from the full back positions, it certainly made a difference to be missing both.

The defeat leaves Albion in 17th spot with the next home game against Everton taking on additional significance as they lie one place and one point behind. Before that is a trip to high-flying West Ham - let's hope our recent good record there can be extended.

Marks

Tomasz Kuszczak - 6 - Didn't do a lot wrong.
Neil Clement - 6 - His mistake led to the second goal, but otherwise did OK back at left back.
Curtis Davies - 7 - Another impressive performance from Curtis, although at fault for the second goal
Darren Moore - 6 - Did OK for the most part, but struggled with Owen for those low crosses.
Riccardo Scimeca - 6 - At fault for the first goal; otherwise OK.
Steve Watson - 7 - MOM. Very impressive performance. Strong in the tackle and used the ball well.
Darren Carter - 6 - Showed some useful touches.
Jonathan Greening - 6 - A bit hit and miss; some good skill but some dreadful passing at times.
Junichi Inamoto - 7 - Not as good as Tuesday night, but a decent performance.
Robert Earnshaw - 7 - His touch continues to let him down, but generally did well.
Nwankwo Kanu - 6 - Did OK, but not mobile enough.

Nathan Ellington - 6 - Hardly got a touch.
Geoff Horsfield - 6 - Ditto.

Bryan Robson - 7 - Maybe would've played Wallwork ahead of Watson, but given his performance I can't complain. He certainly seems to have got the team believing again and I hope this defeat will not have too much negative impact. Too late with the substitutions as usual.


Jon Want, 30th October 2005.