Dobie strikes twice as defiant Baggies bow out
West Bromwich Albion 2 Newcastle United
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.West Bromwich Albion bowed out of the Premiership in the manner they have shown all season with another battling performance. The spirit shown again yesterday offered hope of a return to the top-flight, and the sensible approach taken over the past 12 months ensures the heart of the squad will not have to be sold.
West Bromwich Albion bowed out of the Premiership in the manner they have shown all season with another battling performance. The spirit shown again yesterday offered hope of a return to the top-flight, and the sensible approach taken over the past 12 months ensures the heart of the squad will not have to be sold.
Newcastle, equally, are not in urgent need of funds. Reports suggest that the striker Craig Bellamy is on the verge of being sold by the club because of his poor disciplinary record, but the Magpies' manager, Sir Bobby Robson, strenuously denied any transfer talk. Bellamy, 23, was suspended for this game and his strike partner Alan Shearer absent through injury, but their young replacements were more than able deputies.
Shola Ameobi and Lomano LuaLua were both lively in Robson's young side. The latter headed over Jermaine Jenas's cross and forced a good save from Russell Hoult in the first-half. Ameobi, meanwhile, saw a goal disallowed for offside.
The best chance of the opening period came the home side's way when Bob Taylor, in his swansong performance, took the defence away with a drifting run and Andy Johnson filled the void. Derek McInnes supplied a deft pass but Johnson lifted the ball over from 18-yards.
Taylor's final appearance for the club was cut short by injury but his replacement, Scott Dobie, almost proved to be a match-winner as the forward scored twice to put Albion 2-1 ahead after Jenas' opener. But Hugo Viana's late free-kick ended hopes of a victorious departure from the Premiership at The Hawthorns.
Goals: Jenas (43) 1-0; Dobie (57) 1-1; Dobie (72) 2-1; Viana (80) 2-2.
West Bromwich Albion (5-3-2): Hoult 6; Clement 5, Wallwork 6, Sigurdsson 7, Lyttle 6, Chambers 6 (Udeze, 80); McInnes 7, Johnson 6, Koumas 6; Taylor 6 (Dobie 8, 31), Dichio 5. Substitutes not used: Jensen (gk), Balis, Roberts.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Given 7; Caldwell 6, Hughes 6, O'Brien 6, Griffin 7; Viana 7, Dyer 6 (Kerr, 90), Jenas 6, Solano 5 (Ambrose, 77); Ameobi 7, LuaLua 7 (Chopra 6, 82). Substitutes not used: Harper (gk), Bramble.
Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire) 6.
Man of the match: Viana.
Attendance: 27,036.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments