NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 WEST BROMWICH 1:JOE KINNEAR may have choreographed Newcastle United's first win since August, but the interim manager would be unwise to think about demanding a more permanent deal just yet.
Despite this welcome collection of three much-needed points, a night which began with Joey Barton converting a penalty and concluded with him being voted man of the match emphasised that there is still much remedial work to do on Tyneside.
Indeed, after cantering into a 2-0 lead, Newcastle found themselves stuck on the ropes after an inspired tactical switch and use of substitutes from Tony Mowbray. If only the West Bromwich manager had started with Ishmael Miller bearing down on defenders and James Morrison deployed as a winger rather than Barton's part-time minder, the outcome could have been very different.
On Monday Kinnear had invited us to dream. "Just imagine how our crowd will react if Joey Barton scores," he mused. It did not take too long to find out and the answer was jubilantly.
Just nine minutes in centre-half Ryan Donk clumsily tripped Shola Ameobi in the area. Mike Dean pointed to the spot, and, having snatched the ball in his arms before anybody else could volunteer, Barton stepped forward to take the kick.
Struck crisply and with his right foot, it sent Scott Carson the wrong way and the scorer into ecstasy. Perhaps remembering that Kinnear had cautioned him against kissing the badge until he completed a hat-trick, Barton made do with pointing to his heart and thumping his chest.
Even if such theatricals were not to everyone's taste, the midfielder's first start in six-months was coinciding with some of the most stimulating football Newcastle had played in ages. All sharp passing and movement, Barton was offering Kinnear's side the creativity Newcastle have long lacked in midfield.
Although the visitors moved the ball around attractively enough, they were persistently betrayed by poor final deliveries.
Kinnear freely admits the unorthodox Martins is "not a team player" and "does not link play", but the Nigerian does have a habit of undoing defences. So it proved when, shortly before half-time, Martins connected with Habib Beye's right-wing cross and, unattended, headed Newcastle's second from eight yards.
Watching Damien Duff pose Albion numerous problems down the left possibly prompted Mowbray to his tactical move.
Suddenly Morrison's relocation seemed to unnerve Kinnear's players. Capitalising on a moment's hesitation from Fabricio Coloccini, Miller surged forward, rounding Given before dispatching the ball into the corner.
Guardian Service
NEWCASTLE:Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Duff, Guthrie, Barton, Gutierrez (Geremi 70), Martins (Xisco 77), Ameobi (Carroll 90). Subs not used: Harper, Bassong, N'Zogbia, Edgar.
WEST BROM:Carson, Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Koren, Morrison, Brunt (Miller 54), Borja Valero, Greening, Bednar (Moore 67). Subs not used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, MacDonald, Pele. Booked: Donk, Robinson, Bednar, Moore.
Referee:Mike Dean (Wirral).
