Newcastle United moved up to fifth in the Premier League table on Saturday thanks to a stunning strike from Moussa Sissoko against West Brom after the former Toulouse man struck a spectacular drive from distance in the 57th minute to hand Alan Pardew's men their fourth win in a row. Minutes earlier, Albion's Chris Brunt had equalised after Yoan Gouffran's fifth goal of the season, but Sissoko's stunner was worthy of winning any match. In a lively opening, the visitors tested Tim Krul in the Magpies' goal as early as the third minute, with Brunt's free-kick forcing a smart diving save from the Dutchman. After Yohan Cabaye had dragged a shot wide on the quarter-hour mark, Baggies utility man Billy Jones came to his side's rescue, clearing the ball from under the nose of Loic Remy inside the six-yard box. On 36 minutes, however, United made the breakthrough, and they had West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill to thank as Davide Santon's deflected shot spun out of play. From the resultant corner, Myhill got a hand to Cabaye's crossonly for his weak punch to fall to Gouffran, who nodded the Geordies in front. There was controversy on the stroke of half-time when Albion defender Jonas Olsson pulled Remy's shirt on the edge of the box with the striker seemingly clean through, but loud appeals from the crowd and the Newcastle bench fell on deaf ears as referee Phil Dowd waved play on. After the break, Remy was involved again after being played through by Shola Ameobi, but the forward couldn't get the ball out from under his feet and Myhill was able to smother. The visitors were level on 53 minutes when Shane Long nodded Morgan Amalfitano's cross into the path of Brunt, who smashed the ball past Krul from a tight angle to make it 1-1. And they almost took the lead just moments later but Jonas Olsson's header dropped wide of the far post following an Albion corner. But the moment of the game belonged to Sissoko with the hour mark approaching, Remy's clever header reached the French international some 25-yards from goal, and with defenders closing in, the 24-year-old unleashed an unstoppable swerving drive that flew in at the Gallowgate End to earn his team all three points. Newcastle take on Michael Laudrup's slick-passing Swansea next Wednesday hoping to make it five wins on the bounce, while West Brom will pick themselves up and host a Man City side which has struggled away in recent times.
Former matchday programme editor at my hometown club, Newcastle United, and a lifelong fan. Fully qualified journalist and experienced freelance writer with a passion for European football, particularly England and Spain. Have interviewed some of the biggest names in the game and work has appeared both locally and nationally in print, online and on air.
Attended my first Newcastle game in 1980, and my heroes include Sir Bobby Robson, Peter Beardsley, Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan - all of whom I've been lucky enough to interview and work alongside over the years.
Follow me on Twitter: @dansheridan
