Newcastle United completed a November clean sweep by making it four wins out of four with victory over West Bromwich Albion in this Saturday's late kickoff in the Premier League.
Alan Pardew's side went ahead in the 36th minute when Yohan Cabaye's corner was looped up in the air by West Brom keeper Boaz Myhill, with Yoan Gouffran getting up highest to nod into the empty net.
West Brom were level eight minutes into the second half when Chris Brunt lashed into the roof of the net after he had been left unmarked at the back post.
The visitors weren't level for long though as Moussa Sissoko won the game with a sizzling 25-yard strike that curved into the top corner.
Three points see Newcastle rise above the two Manchester clubs and into fifth place and here, Sports Mole pores over the 90 minutes in the North-East.
Match statistics:
Newcastle:
Shots 14
On target 7
Possession 54%
Corners 3
Fouls 15
West Brom:
Shots 14
On target 1
Possession 46%
Corners 3
Fouls 15
Was the result fair?
Without a doubt. West Brom were actually the team who flew out of the blocks but they didn't really create a chance and were soon behind when Myhill's dodgy punch was headed home by Gouffran. Newcastle were the better side from there on and although West Brom did bring it level, the Magpies certainly deserved three points.
Newcastle's performance
It was a slow start from the in-form Magpies but they were soon dominating. If it had been goalless at the break it would have been about right but Myhill's flimsy punch gifted Newcastle the chance to score. They grew in strength after that and Sissoko's goal was good enough to win any game. A superb hit from the Frenchman who, until today, hadn't replicated his form from last season in 2013-14.
West Brom's performance
Steve Clarke's men failed to make the most of their early pressure and it was downhill from there. Newcastle's top scorer Loic Remy was handled extremely well all afternoon by Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson but they simply didn't offer enough going forward as Shane Long, who scored his first ever Premier League brace on Monday, failed to threaten in attack. In midfield, Newcastle's dynamic combination of Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye simply outclassed and overpowered West Brom.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Moussa Sissoko: As mentioned above, Sissoko hasn't been firing on all cylinders this season on the right of midfield but he was back to his bludgeoning best. He was strong in the tackle and drove forward with control, regularly beating opponents. The goal capped an all-action performance that will endear him to the Magpies' faithful even more.
Biggest gaffe
Hard to pick a clear winner here but we're going to point the finger at Remy for fluffing his lines in front of goal with only Myhill to beat just after half time. The Frenchman tried to round the Welshman but was easily dispossessed.
Referee performance
Overall, Phil Dowd had an OK game. Newcastle wanted a free kick right on the edge of the box when Remy was tugged over by Olsson but it would have been a soft one. Newcastle could have very easily had a penalty in the dying moments as well when a Cabaye shot struck Billy Jones on the arm. In the end, it didn't matter.
What next?
Newcastle: The Magpies will look to make it five in a row when they travel to Swansea on Wednesday night.
West Brom: It doesn't get any easier for the Baggies as they host Manchester City midweek.
Pascal Lemesre
