The match-day arrives and for once I don't have a rushed journey, so I can get to the pub early enough for a couple. Quite a few Geordies in, in good voice, so should be a good afternoon. Lovely weather, sun is shining, what could go wrong? Four changes as Andrews, Olsson, Odemwingie and MAF return.
Well, the match started. That was where it started to go wrong! In the first couple of minutes our back four with their arms up in the air was a sign of things to come as Foster tipped over from the sheep impersonator. From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Gutierrez who's excellent through ball found Ben Arfa. Cisse was in the middle in an offside position but not interfering. The ball was crossed to the non interfering Cisse who, from what still looked like an offside position, slotted home.
From our first attack, Newcastle scored again. Ben Arfa collected the ball on the edge of his box, played a one-two and then shrugged off Ridgewell. Another one-two with Cisse and we backed off like we usually do until Ben Arfa reached our box ( where we then can't challenge him) and he slammed it home. 2-0.
After that, we played okay for about 20 minutes or so. There were a couple of chances for MAF which he didn't take. Then an offside goal. If Cisse was onside then so was MAF as JT played him in. He gets to the by-line and crosses for an easy tap in for Odemwingie but the flag had already gone up.
We needed a goal, so no surprise when we went 3-0 down. I always arrive late and miss the pre-match awards when, I assume, we gave Ben Arfa the freedom of The Hawthorns, resulted in another flowing move ending with Cisse scoring. If you get the chance, watch Ridgewell track him back the whole way, watching him, checking to see where he is, then waiting until the last second to just leave him on his own. Brilliant!
After the break
In the second half and we come out in a more determined mood. Long and Brunt replace JT and Andrews. A spell of pressure ends with a great shot from Mulumbu that was heading in until blocked. That nearly led to Newcastle’s 4th as Cisse went one on one with Foster who made a great save. Then, a long ball by Mulumbu causes a mix up at the back and Long is on hand to tap home. 3-1.
Our tails are up and another chance falls this time to Odemwingie who gets a shot in saved by Krul. Then, Morrison dithered and let the Toon in again and Foster made another great save. This time from Ben Arfa. End to end stuff now as Mulumbu again has a shot blocked.
With about 15 minutes left we brought on Scharner for Mulumbu; not long after that we were down to 10 men as Morrison twisted his knee. With that went our last chance of getting back into this one. Two other chances fell to Ridgewell, but we were unable to add to the scoring.
On reflection
Poor performances from Morrison, Mulumbu and Odemwingie doesn't help our cause as we were getting overrun in midfield. MAF looked out of sorts and only Long looked like he was up for the fight. Had it not been for Foster, the scoreline could have been worse.
Have your say on Albion's defeat here at Baggies Banter.