Toon’s impact
STRIKER COMES OFF THE BENCH TO BLOW AWAY THE BAGGIES WITH LATE HEADER
NO WONDER Steve Bruce spoke of his gutsy players winning “in adversity”.
Dwight Gayle capped a traumatic virus-hit fortnight for Newcastle United with a stunning headed winner – to heap pressure on Slaven Bilic.
Newcastle were robbed of six potential starters after two weeks of debilitating disruption.
They’ve endured at least 10 players and staff struck down, last weekend’s visit to Aston Villa called off, and training cancelled for a week.
Bruce said: “I can’t give enough credit to the players. Some have trained in a park. We have come through adversity.
“The way the virus was ripping through everyone was frightening and these are young lads, too.
“It was a huge decision to close training but in hindsight a great one which has enabled us to play today.
“We have been careful with the players. It is the after effects, the way they recover, the fatigue, we still have people poorly. It has been a challenging time.
“We have a huge month coming up and could do with a healthy squad. We sacrificed the full-backs and went for the win. It worked, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Bruce deserved his own pat on the back for two positive late substitutions that swung the game in their favour.
United striker Gayle scored 24 goals on loan at West Brom in the 2018-19 season as they narrowly failed to win promotion. He grabbed four goals in nine games after lockdown last season.
This, his first appearance of the term, showed how lethal he can be.
Shortly after having an effort cleared off the line, Gayle powered home a brilliant header from an equally stunning cross from fellow substitute Jacob Murphy.
“I am delighted for Dwight and the way he has worked to get back to fitness,” said Bruce.
The future of both those players is in question with Gayle’s contract running down.
He could attract offers in January but may prove an essential squad member if fit.
Defeat heaps pressure on Baggies boss Bilic whose side are stuck in the bottom three.
They lack consistent quality in attack. Full-back Darnell Furlong scored their equaliser after Miguel Almiron’s opener after just 18 seconds.
Asked if he’d still be in charge next week, under-pressure Bilic said: “It was frustrating, a game of little margins again.
“It is not a question for me. I am doing my job. I have no signals, information or talks.
“I prepared for this game. It is about the result but we showed again we are in the game to the end and showed character, mentality and that the team is very much alive.
“They scored incredibly early and we had to do better stopping it. Their physicality up front was better than ours and gave them a few dangerous situations.
“Second half we changed mentality, bravery, and we were good. We were getting clear cut chances but they scored again.”
The fastest goal in the Premier League this season arrived after just 18 seconds.
Jamal Lewis pinged a ball up the wing to feed Callum Wilson. The Geordies’ top scorer bullied Branislav Ivanovic off the ball and slid in Joelinton.
The Brazilian got his second assist in as many games, passing across an empty box for Almiron to finish.
Tiredness appeared to be an issue for the Covid sufferers as the Baggie took charge in the first half without really threatening until Furlong notched an equaliser in the 50th minute.
However Newcastle’s super sub Gayle converted late on to snatch the three points.
NEWCASTLE: Darlow 7; Krafth 7 (Murphy 80th), Clark 7, Hayden 8, Lewis 6 (Gayle (69th) 8); Ritchie 6, S Longstaff 6, Shelvey 7, Almiron 7 (Yedlin 86th); Joelinton 7, Wilson 7
WEST BROM: Johnstone 6; Furlong 7, Ajayi
5, Ivanovic 4; O’Shea 5, Phillips 7, Gallagher
6 (Grosicki 80th), Sawyer 6; Kronvinovic 6, Robinson 6 (Gibbs (46th) 6), Grant 5 (Austin
(46th) 6)
STAR MAN: Dwight Gayle
REF: D England
Newcastle’s next game: Leeds, Wed (a)
West Brom’s next game: Man City, Tue (a)