For Toon fans Pard-oned

Well, not quite, but the Spaniard did make an effort to drop back during the second period in order to receive possession from Karl Darlow and the Newcastle defence.

This relieved the pressure on the Magpies’ backline and helped launch attacks for the visitors.

The midfielder showed excellent technique in the 52nd minute to meet a half-cleared cross on the volley with his left foot.

His strike from 20 yards arrowed towards the bottom corner, and it required a very good low stop from Foster to keep it out.

Ritchie was probably grateful Ayoze Perez was rightly ruled offside after a low cross from the left from Rolando Aarons, with the Scotland international placing a shot straight at Foster when the goal was gaping.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, however, did have the ball in the back of the net following DeAndre Yedlin’s Mikel Merino arino puts in challenge (left); right, Aleksandar ar Mitrovic applauds the United fans cutback, but the American had already been correctly flagged for straying past the West Brom defensive line.

Introduced for the final 20 minutes at the Hawthorns, Mitrovic made an impact and caused the West Brom defence problems.

At one stage, while a Baggies player was receiving treatment and the 2,600strong travelling Toon Army chanted Mitrovic’s name, the Serbian turned to the away fans and applauded them.

Buoyed by the comeback draw, Newcastle fans sang heartily as they filtered out of the Hawthorns.

One song which was particularly amusing was about former United boss Alan Pardew, who was confirmed as the new Baggies manager yesterday.

Newcastle fans chanted: “You’re getting Pardewed in the morning.”