Newcastle United 1 West Brom 0

ALEKSANDAR Mitrovic was the match-winner as Newcastle United moved out of the Premier League’s bottom three with a crucial 1-0 win over West Brom at St James’ Park.

Mitrovic claimed his fifth goal of the season in the first half of a game the Magpies dominated from start to finish.

Even the introduction of Saido Berahino at half time couldn’t spoil the day as Steve McClaren’s men claimed their sixth win of the campaign.

Looking to put things right after Wednesday night’s shambolic display at Everton, Newcastle started well against a typically set-up Tony Pulis side.

Twice within the opening six minutes West Brom keeper Ben Forster was called into action, first to deny a curling Andros Townsend shot before he diverted Mitrovic’s low shot past the post.

Newcastle had as much as 84 per cent of possession in the first half, but like has been the case on so many occasions this season they failed to really make it count in the early stages.

In the 18th minute Mitrovic sent a superb angled ball through to Moussa Sissoko, but again Forster came to his side’s rescue and intercepted before the Frenchman could get a foot to it.

Reinstated by the Magpies boss, Mitrovic was heavily involved in the hosts’ attacking play, but when Daryl Janmaat found the striker in the box he was unable to get enough on the ball to direct it past Forster.

Newcastle continued to dominate with West Brom seemingly happy to let them control play. Jonjo Shelvey’s long range shot tested Forster as the atmosphere built inside St James’ Park.

Then, with almost half an hour gone the breakthrough came – at least the home side thought it had. A dangerous corner eventually found its way to Cheick Tiote 25 yards out, the Ivory Coast international listened to roars of “shoot” from the crowd and buried a deflected shot past a helpless Forster.

Tiote ran off to celebrate with the Newcastle bench, but in the meantime West Brom’s appeals that Mitrovic was offside when the shot came in were heard by referee Lee Mason, who consulted with his linesman before awarding a goal kick.

Boos and jeers echoed around the stadium after a moment that was reminiscent of Tiote’s controversially disallowed goal against Manchester City two years ago.

The decision didn’t deter the Magpies, however, and within three minutes they went ahead. Shelvey’s through ball sent Mitrovic clear and this time he made no mistake with a cool finish under Forster to give Newcastle a deserved lead.

West Brom had barely threatened in the first half until ex-Sunderland duo Craig Gardner and James McLean combined, but luckily Janmaat was on hand to block the latter’s shot.

At the break, it was hardly surprising to see Pulis introduce Saido Berahino along with January recruit Alex Pritchard, but the hosts remained on top following their first half superiority.

Jonas Olsson did well to get across and block Sissoko’s shot after the midfielder had broken free down the right, before Georginio Wijnaldum headed over from Townsend’s cross in the 65th minute.

Four minutes later, Townsend hit the post after a great turn inside the box before Sissoko blazed wide from a good position on the left-hand side of the area.

There was a late scare for Newcastle when substitute Salomon Rondon raced into the box, but Steven Taylor intercepted the ball before the striker could square it to Berahino, who was waiting to pull the trigger.

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Elliot; Janmaat, Taylor, Coloccini, Aarons; Shelvey (Saivet, 90), Tiote; Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Townsend (Perez, 88); Mitrovic.

Subs (not used): Darlow, Gibson, Williams, Barlaser, Doumbia.

West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1): Forster; Dawson, Olsson, McAuley, Chester; Yacob, Sandro (Pritchard, 46); McLean, Fletcher, Gardner (Berahino, 46); Anichebe (Rondon, 74).

Subs (not used): Myhill, Pocognoli, Lambert, Sessegnon.