Premier League

St. James' Park

Saturday 12th December 2020 - 15:00
Newcastle
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2
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West Brom
Stream on WBA TV
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Key Events

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Slaven Bilić’s Baggies travel to Tyneside to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon (ko 3pm).

Newcastle

Their last time out

Newcastle’s last outing saw them defeat Crystal Palace 2-0 thanks to two late goals at Selhurst Park.

Callum Wilson continued his hot streak in front of goal and Joelinton netted just a minute later to wrap up the points for the Magpies. And Newcastle will be hoping to maintain momentum when the Baggies make the trip north, as they look to record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

Newcastle's game against Aston Villa, which was scheduled to take place on Friday, December 4, was postponed after a significant increase in COVID-19 cases at United's training ground, meaning they haven't played since that win at Palace on Friday, November 27.

In the dugout

Boyhood fan Steve Bruce is into his second season in the North East having taken over from Rafa Benitez in July, 2019.

The 59-year-old ended his first campaign in charge of Newcastle in 13th place while also guiding them to the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup - having beaten the Baggies in round five.

Former Manchester United defender Bruce has managed 10 sides over the course of his career and is no stranger to the West Midlands having previously managed local rivals Birmingham City and more recently, Aston Villa.

One to watch

Callum Wilson has been a hit with the Toon army since signing in the summer from Bournemouth.

The England international has netted an impressive seven goals from his first nine Premier League games this season, including braces against Burnley and Everton.

Wilson has proved he can be the difference for United and the 28-year-old has clearly earned Bruce’s faith since his arrival, having started nine of their 10 top-flight matches this term.

Our last meeting

Albion produced a battling second-half display during a 3-2 defeat in the Emirates FA Cup back in March. But their last Premier League trip to St James’ Park in April, 2018 saw Matt Phillips bag the winning goal in a 1-0 victory.

Stats

Newcastle

  • Callum Wilson has scored in all four of Newcastle’s league victories this season.
  • Newcastle have managed the least shots in the league so far (86).
  • The Magpies are also one of the lowest for producing crosses (156).

Albion

  • Darnell Furlong is currently the Premier League’s leading full-back for aerial duels won (43).
  • The Baggies are joint-second in the division for hitting the woodwork (7).
  • Matt Phillips has scored in Albion’s last two encounters with Newcastle.

Head to head

  Newcastle wins Draw Albion wins
League 45 34 43
FA Cup 2 0 3
League Cup 0 0 2
Total 47 34 48

Our one to watch

Conor Gallagher will be looking to make it three goals in as many games when the Baggies take on the Magpies.

The midfielder has produced a number of energetic displays since moving to The Hawthorns on a season-long loan from Chelsea and has found joy in front of goal in recent weeks, netting against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

And Slaven Bilić will be hoping the 20-year-old can continue in this vein of form as Albion target a strong performance to help build momentum over the festive period.

Conor Gallagher

Follow the game

Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.

To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.

If you haven't already you can create your My Albion account here. Click Create Account or register quickly with your Facebook or Google account. 

Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.

If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

The game is also available to watch on Sky Sports.

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Albion were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The home side were ahead early on through Miguel Almiron - however the Baggies hit back just after half-time through Darnell Furlong’s volley.

It could have gone either way with both teams searching for all three points in an end-to-end finale, but it was the Magpies who came away with the victory thanks to Dwight Gayle’s bullet header.

There were three changes to the team from last weekend’s game against Crystal Palace, with Dara O’Shea, Filip Krovinović and Callum Robinson coming into the XI for Kyle Bartley, Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana.

Yet it was the hosts who came sprinting out of the blocks, Callum Wilson dispossessing the Albion back-line and laying it across for Almiron to slot home inside the opening minute.

Almiron had further chances to double Newcastle’s lead midway through the first-half, but found Sam Johnstone in his path both times.

The Baggies goalkeeper had to be at his best again to keep out Joelinton just after the 30-minute mark, producing a strong stop at his near post after the striker had received the ball from a quick free-kick.

From then on it was Albion who were pushing for an equaliser right up until the break - Matt Phillips saw a shot from distance saved before Gallagher curled one effort over and side-footed another wide.

And despite going into half-time behind, they only had to wait five minutes after the interval to find themselves deservedly level.

Phillips, now playing up front alongside substitute Charlie Austin, produced an excellent cross for Furlong to fire an unstoppable volley past Karl Darlow and into the back of the net.

Albion were pressing for a second goal but found clear-cut chances hard to come by, and an attacking tactic tweak by Steve Bruce with 20 minutes left unfortunately turned the tide in his side’s favour.

It was a pair of former Baggies who ended up combining to earn United all three points - Jacob Murphy crossing onto the head of Gayle, who made no mistake in finding the top corner.

 

Albion: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, Ivanović, O’Shea, Phillips; Gallagher (Grosicki 80) Sawyers, Krovinović; Robinson (Gibbs 45), Grant (Austin 45).

Substitutes: Button, Kipre, Livermore, Diangana.