Mitro the man as fighters are
EX-BOSS GETS MENTION AS POINT CLAIMED
A DULL first half at The Hawthorns was followed by an incident-filled second period – and a comeback draw for Newcastle United.
Two goals down and staring a fifth successive defeat in the face, Ciaran Clark’s header and Jonny Evans’ own goal rescued a point for Rafa Benitez’s men against West Bromwich Albion.
Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Field had given the home side a 2-0 lead, but the visitors clawed their way back into the match and could have even won it during the dying minutes.
Here, we pick out some of the moments you might have missed from this entertaining draw.
RITCHIE SPORTS SOME HEFTY STRAPPING
The Newcastle winger may have been fit to play at The Hawthorns, but he was wearing some pretty hefty strapping on his right arm – suggesting he hurt it during training or the defeat to Watford.
It didn’t affect his performance, however; if anything it merely improved it, with Matt Ritchie rediscovering some form and providing two excellent assists.
“THERE’S ONLY ONE BOBBY ROBSON”
When the home fans started chanting interim head coach Gary Megson’s name, Newcastle fans did not join in the chorus for a former Magpie, but one who made little impact on Tyneside.
Instead, the 2,600-strong visiting supporters chanted “There’s only one, Bobby Robson”, in reference to their late, great former manager. Some Baggies fans joined in too, given that Sir Bobby scored 56 goals in 239 league games for West Brom between 1956 and 1962.
4-4-2? A RETURN TO 4-2-3-1? OR A BIT OF BOTH?
It was difficult to pinpoint precisely what system the Magpies were playing at in the West Midlands.
In attack, it was not an out-andout 4-4-2, but in defence it very much was, though that has often been the case on the road this season.
It seemed to be a reversion to 4-2-3-1 offensively, with Ayoze Perez playing just behind Joselu, however – and it worked.
LEJEUNE THE FREE-KICK TAKER
10 minutes in, central and 30 yards out, the majority expected Matt Ritchie or Mikel Merino to take it.
Instead, centre-back Florian Lejeune stepped up, attempted to curl a shot on goal, but merely ended up hitting the West Brom wall.
Maybe next time, Florian...
A TRADEMARK FOSTER HOWLER – WELL, ALMOST ANYWAY
In the 19th minute, Ritchie whipped a cross into the box from the right which Ben Foster came to collect.
Ahmed Hegazi also went for the same ball though, and that put Foster off, with the goalkeeper inadvertently allowing it to slip through his hands.
Luckily for Foster, Hegazi covered across and cleared the ball off the line, otherwise the Baggies goalkeeper would have been left with egg on his face.