Owen and Shearer combine to defeat Baggies
Newcastle today produced a terrific second half display to make it four wins in six Premiership games with victory at the Hawthorns. The first half wasn't anything special with the only real opening came in the 37th minute as Owen raced into the box and beat Tomasz Kuszczak to the ball, but the Polish keeper parried his shot. But the second half was a very different affair, with Owen lighting up the match with a superb goal just 20 seconds after the restart. The England striker nipped in front of Baggies defender Darren Moore to latch on to Emre's cross and send a beautifully controlled volley past Kuszczak from six yards. But West Brom an almost immediate response when Rob Earnshaw was denied by a terrific save by Given in the Newcastle goal.
The match was open and Earnshaw again came close on the hour mark as his vicious low drive flew past the diving Given and just wide of the post. Shearer entered the game on 65 minutes, although it was fellow substitute Dyer who made the first impact as he set up Owen's second. He cut the ball back smartly from the touchline to the England striker who delicately diverted the ball high into the net. And the Magpies made it comfortable two minutes later as Shearer pounced to divert Ramage's cross past Kuszczak from close range. Final score: West Brom 0-3 Newcastle.
A very good win for Newcastle and it will certainly lift the pressure off under fire manager Graeme Souness. The two quick goals knocked the stuffing out of West Brom, and Bryan Robson was left to reflect on missed chances as the Baggies slumped to their fourth home defeat of the season. I have to say I saw all of the goals and they were all very similar. The win for The Magpies lifts them to 10th whilst the defeat for The Baggies keeps them just out of the relagation places in 17th.