West Brom 0-2 Newcastle: 7 Key Ways The Baggies Were Blunted

7. Coloccini Gave Anichebe Just The Right Amount Of Space

Newcastle fans know all about the presence and power of Victor Anichebe - he is one of those players who for some reason is able to lift his game two or three times to play against the Magpies (like Ian "Two Screamers" Woan). And unfortunately on his day, he is a supremely difficult prospect to deal with: powerful, quick and swift on the turn, which has usually paid dividends against Newcastle's usually over-zealous defence. Anichebe is a law unto himself when it comes to defending - instead of getting too tight on him, the only way to stop him playing is to give him space, otherwise he will turn and shoot and punish you. Or he'll use his considerable bulk to hold off a centre-half in order to play in a strike partner - which he did once, memorably, yesterday by simply squashing Coloccini to the floor. But to Coloccini's (and Pardew's) credit, Anichebe was dealt with perfectly: he wasn't allowed to turn too any times but Coloccini kept him on a leash and made sure he knew he was in the game. And when he did turn, he found Paul Dummett willing to block every shot.