Newcastle United v West Brom

1. Newcastle XI: Krul, Anita, Coloccini, Dummett, Gutierrez, Sissoko, R Taylor, Colback, Perez, Riviere, Cabella
2. West Brom XI: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott, Gardner, Fletcher, Mulumbu, Yacob, Brunt, Anichebe

All over, reaction to all today's results is coming in on our overall live text commentary.

Meanwhile there is the start of a report on today's game up on the site already.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"John Carver was struggling to pick a team and Newcastle then went behind. But they got that lifeline to make it 1-1 and in the second half played much better. Boaz Myhill only had one save to make but it's something to build on and it's not a defeat."

FULL-TIME

Newcastle pump it forward, but Gareth McAuley out-jumps Papiss Cisse.

Last few moments...

INJURY TIME

Two minutes of time added on.

Moussa Sissoko crashes in a low drive and it's well saved by Boaz Myhill! Chance.

Kevin Kilbane

BBC Final Score

"If you make an appointment early enough and give them a chance you get your rewards. That is what West Brom have done and credit to them for getting Tony Pulis in.

"If Newcastle get a point it will be important for them as it will address the slide after their losing run."

AFP

Remy Cabella cuts inside, beats his man, but his curling effort climbs over the bar. Same old, same old.

YELLOW CARD

Claudio Yacob is a late addition to the referee's book after a messy challenge.

SUBSTITUTION

Sammy Ameobi off and Ayoze Perez off as John Carver shuffles for the final time.

More concerning holes appearing in the Newcastle defence.

Saido Berahino almost makes something of one there, but his shot cannons off a defender and into the turf, killing any power that would have made it difficult for Tim Krul.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"I think he (Morrison) is very lucky. Studs were showing, absolutely everything."

YELLOW CARD

That was ugly.

James Morrison lunges in and takes a dirty great chunk of Ryan Taylor. Referee Chris Foy decides that he was stretching and misjudged it rather than meaning any harm.

It is just a yellow.

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Chris, Bournemouth: Hope Leicester stay up and Newcastle go down, just to prove that keeping faith in a manager is better than sacking him, as I'm getting worried football is becoming far too fickle these days.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Peter Collins: Far be it from me to question the best coach in the league, but why on earth did Cisse not start? He actually scores goals.

SUBSTITUTION

Callum McManaman replaces Victor Anichebe for West Brom. And is roundly jeered. He committed a horror foul on Massadio Haïdara when he was playing for Wigan.

CLOSE!

West Brom carry plenty of counter-attack threat with Saido Berahno and Victor Anichebe up front together.

The pair combine neatly, but Tim Krul is off his line like an express train to make the save at Berahino's feet.

Forty-seven thousand Geordie buttocks are chewing their seats.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"Tim Krul does brilliantly because he just put Chris Brunt off a bit. Newcastle have got away with one.

"The last 15 minutes or so are going be the best of this game because both teams are trying to win."

HITS THE WOODWORK

Getty Images

Agonising for West Brom, and a warning shot for Newcastle not to get ahead of themselves.

Chrsi Brunt's header is partially blocked by Paul Dummet, but, with Tim Krul on the deck, the ball loops back up to the midfielder. It is an awkward height and Brunt can only stab an instinctive volley against the bar.

A point might yet be a good result for the hosts.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

"The sight of striker Papiss Cisse coming on was greeted with thunderous noise from Newcastle United's fans. He has been their main goal threat this season - and how they need one right now.

"The good news for the Toon Army is that Newcastle have kept West Brom very much at arm's length in this second half."

As it stands

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As things stand, Burnley are still down.

If Leicester City win against Southampton and Newcastle United avoid defeat by West Bromwich Albion, while Aston Villa do not lose to West Ham, it doesn't matter what the Clarets do. They will be relegated.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"I think West Brom will move the ball more quickly going forward now so the counter-attack is a real threat."

SUBSTITUTION

Reuters

A switch apiece.

Off comes Emmanuel Riviere and on comes Papiss Cisse for Newcastle.

Meanwhile Saido Berahino is ushered into the fray for West Brom with Craig Gardner giving way. That is a positive switch from the Baggies who will go two up top with Victor Anichebe still on the pitch.

More Newcastle pressure.

Fabricio Coloccini's headed centre is pawed away by Boaz Myhill with a clutch of Newcastle shirts awaiting any slip.

Reuters

Newcastle are building up a head of steam.

A series of corners builds pressure with Victor Anichebe only just getting ahead of Fabricio Coloccini from the latest.

Paul Dummett then slides in to nip a West Brom counter-attack in the bud.

News from elsewhere

On balance, this is good news for Newcastle.

Burnley have taken the lead against Hull through Danny Ings. The Clarets need an astonishing run to escape the bottom three while Hull are the closest team chasing Newcastle.

Reuters

Papiss Cisse - who has not played since picking up a seven-match ban for his part in the spitting spat with Man Utd defender Jonny Evans - is warming up on the sidelines.

Surely John Carver will not be able to resist throwing him on in search of a winner.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

"There is an air of genuine desperation among these Newcastle United fans. They are responding to caretaker-manager John Carver's plea to back the team but there is a very obvious, constant anxiety that West Brom could produce something on the counter.

"Carver has been a low-key presence, only venturing out into his technical area occasionally. Everything on a knife-edge here on Tyneside."

Reuters

Stick a bit of whipped cream on the side and you could serve that cross for dessert.

A delicious centre, aimed at the near post from Moussa Sissoko, is only just out of the reach of Emmanuel Riviere.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"I think James Morrison coming on will make West Brom play. I just wonder how long they will leave Ideye Brown on the bench because he will be perfect today."

SUBSTITUTION

James Morrison on and Youssef Mulumbu off for West Brom as Tony Pulis freshens up the midfield.

YELLOW CARD

Craig Dawson is taken down in Chris Foy's little black book. The West Brom defender stuck out a leg and sent Remy Cabella sprawling. Not a lot of attempt to get to the ball there.

Ohhh!

West Brom could, probably should, be back in front. Newcastle's make-shift back four - with Jonas Gutierrez and Vurnon Anita as full-backs - is flimsy as a barn door in a gale. Craig Gardner should do better when picked out at the far post, but his half-volley is off his studs and stuck the wrong side of the side netting.

KICK-OFF

AP

A Ska version of the Bladon Races blares out as the teams re-emerge.

The attendance has been announced as 47,894.

We are back up and running.

Kevin Kilbane

BBC Final Score

"There has been a local media ban at times this season, and some times with national papers. There is not togetherness between Newcastle United and the local media and that causes problem for the club.

"Any negativity around the team is going to be magnified 10-fold. I would like to see that relationship become more united and the club work closer with the media.

"Mike Ashley is running the club as a business and there is a lot of contentment to stay in the mid-table. There's not a lot of sympathy for Newcastle outside of the area from the football world."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Sunday Peter on Twitter: May be the Escape has started for Newcastle. Ayoze's goal could be vital.

Peter Lewis on Twitter: I would love it. Love it if Newcastle stay up!!

Opta

Newcastle have also had nine shots on goal - three on target. West Brom have managed three in total, one on target.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

"Newcastle United's fans will be feeling a whole lot better as they go in level. The mood lifted around the ground with Ayoze Perez's leveller but those same supporters will spend the second half living on their nerves unless Newcastle can sort out how to defend West Brom's set pieces."

Opta

It has been all about Moussa Sissoko for Newcastle in the first half. The midfielder has made the most of his licence to float about the pitch - as you can see in the touch graphic above.

He has managed four shots on goal, two of which on target - both of which are team-high totals.

He is also Newcastle's busiest player in the West Brom half - making 19 passes.

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Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"It's not great but in fairness to Newcastle they have got themselves back in the game. They started the game like strangers but they have got a little better.

"Tony Pulis will not be happy, letting Newcastle back into this game. His team have given the ball away so often.

"If Newcastle can get Moussa Sissoko into this game more then they have a chance of taking the points."

Trevor Sinclair

Former England winger on BBC Final Score

AP

"There has been a big cloud over St James' Park all season but if they can get all three points today it will be a massive win for them."

HALF-TIME

Newcastle stride off the pitch. They won't have wanted half-time to arrive.

I'm sure John Carver will not leave them in any doubt of what is required in the second half.

As it stands

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Newcastle heads above water. For now.

INJURY TIME

Two minutes of time added on at the end of the first half.

Newcastle have the wind in their sails now. A lot of buzz around St James' Park, even if Boaz Myhill comes to claim a corner just as it gets boisterous.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"That equaliser was meant to be. The free-kick was mis-hit and the shot was mis-hit.

"What a difference that goal will make to John Carver's half-time team-talk. It might even give them a little bit of belief."

You say mis-hit, I say coolly stroked. Potato, potatartoe...

GOAL

Massive, massive goal.

The ball loops up invitingly for Ayoze Perez and the young Spaniard keeps his cool to stroke a half-volley into the side netting beyond a rooted Boas Myhill.

Newcastle are back out of the bottom three and their fans responds with decibels.

AP

If Newcastle are going to get back into this game, Moussa Sissoko looks like the likeliest route.

He is the one player who looks like he gets the West Brom defence a little twitchy. He buys a pocket of space in the box with a neat drop of the shoulder, but his shot is a trundler straight at Boaz Myhill.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

"Newcastle United interim manager John Carver puffs out his cheeks and turns away as Victor Anichebe puts West Brom ahead and The Toon Army in the Premier League's bottom three - for now.

"It was doubly frustrating as Joleon Lescott had just cleared Moussa Sissoko's shot off the line but Newcastle have looked horribly vulnerable again from set pieces, as they were at Leicester City.

"Throw in that Pulis's sides are traditionally top-class at set-pieces and you have a very dangerous combination for Carver and his team.

"It will be interesting to gauge the response of Newcastle and their fans if they cannot turn this around quickly. First few loud jeers for a misplaced pass."

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Dave C: Can you hear the tip tapping of the nails going into Newcastle's coffin?

West Brom have nine clean sheets in 16 games under Tony Pulis.

Manchester United could not find a way back into the game after falling behind to the Baggies a week ago. Can Newcastle?

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Timothy Walton on Twitter: I would love it...LOVE IT, if Newcastle went down.

Jay on Twitter: Au revoir Newcastle

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"Too easy for West Brom. Craig Gardner just picked Victor Anichibe out. And just watch Newcastle's 10 outfield players walk back from conceding that goal. It was like 'oh no, someone has scored again', not 'who was picking up Anichebe?' It's 'someone has scored a goal against us. It doesn't matter.'"

As it stands

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GOAL

A gut-punch of a goal from Newcastle. They are in the bottom three as it stands.

Moments after they could have been ahead the hosts go behind. It is their weakness at set-pieces that costs them again as Victor Anicehbe is allowed to get a glance to Craig Gardner's delivery and the ball zips past Tim Krul before he can react.

Getty Images

CHANCE!

Getty Images

That is as close as Newcastle have come, Fabricio Coloccini's header loops up to Moussa Sissoko who thrashes a volley straight into Jonas Olsson and then wallops a second effort past Boaz Myhill only for a perfectly placed Joleaon Lescott to clear off the line.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"The Newcastle supporters are a constant. What have they done wrong? Turn up every week to watch this pile of rubbish. What's that all about?"

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Yani Kapitanov on Twitter: Cabella has to be the worst signing of the season. He's contributed nothing all season long.

And that just about sums Newcastle up so far.

A deep delivery, humming with threat to the far stick, is met by Fabricio Coloccini, but the Argentine's header loops tamely up for Boaz Myhill to claim without anyone in a black and white shirt around him.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"It's very, very flat. Once Newcastle beat one red shirt there's another long very quickly. It's a Tony Pulis team. They are well drilled."

Opta

Newcastle have had more of the ball and worked their way into some decent positions, but lacked a little bit of final-third quality.

Ryan Taylor tries something ambitious from 35 yards out, but his free-kick trails tamely wide of the post.

News from elsewhere

Newcastle are not going to get any help from Southampton today.

Leicester have just moved 2-0 up on the Saints to ease their own relegation worries and deepen Newcastle's.

All the latest from around the grounds is here in our overall live.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

"West Brom manager Tony Pulis is angry as Newcastle's Remy Cabella tumbles theatrically in the area. He asks someone to have a word - I've deliberately missed some of his message out there."

PENALTY APPEAL

Remy Cabella - so much promise, so little product.

Newcastle's misfiring maverick advances menacingly into the West Brom box, but dances around the ball ineffectively before having the ball whipped off his toe.

A half-hearted penalty shout from the Frenchman is ignored by referee Chris Foy.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC Radio 5 live

"I am pretty sure this starting XI has never started before for Newcastle and you can probably tell. It will take a bit of time to gel. There's a little bit more cohesion in West Brom's team."

As it stands

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Leicester's early goal sends them out of the Premier League bottom six and into 14th in the table, two points clear of the drop zone. Newcastle are now a place outside the bottom three.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Elliot Fulton on Twitter: Our back 4 is tiny against a huge WBA team & we can't defend set pieces. Air of ineviability. Pump your money on WBA defenders

Shiftz on Twitter: People say Pardew going is why #nufc faltering. Always had a post Jan slump under him so we'd probably be in the same position

Paul Dummett gets his head to Ryan Taylor's cross but his effort is high and wide. Boaz Myhill waves it on its way in the West Brom goal.

AP

Bad news from elsewhere for Newcastle.

Riyad Mahrez has put Leicester ahead at home to Southampton. The Foxes are on fire and that score moves them above Newcastle as it stands.

The Magpies are now 17th as it stands - just a point clear of Hull in 18th.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Reuters

Hearts in mouths all around the ground.

Newcastle never deal with Craig Gardner's corner, allowing Craig Dawson to meet it with a downward header. That initial effort rebounds off the base of the post and Ryan Taylor has to be brave to dive in the way of Youssef Mulumbu's follow-up.

Fabricio Coloccini knocks the ball long towards Emmanuel Riviere. That is a bit hit-and-hope though. Meat and drink for Boaz Myhill with Riviere out-muscled and dwarfed by the central defence.

That was one to get the home fans noisy.

Moussa Sissoko strides forward towards the edge of the West Brom box and hammers a decent rising effort over the top.

Good intent and the home fans need to see a bit of that from the Toon.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

"Less than two minutes in at Newcastle United and a shout of anger: 'Carver you're an idiot - get Taylor off.' Not exactly giving Ryan Taylor much of a chance there."

It has been a quiet first few minutes on the pitch as Tim Krul claims a nothing-much ball forward under no pressure.

Plenty of noise on the touchline though where John Carver and his Newcastle assistant Steve Stone are already chuntering away.

Join the debate on the BBC Sport Facebook page

Nick Clements: Strange game. A record for both teams today. WBA never won three away games on the trot in Premier League.

St James Park actually has filled up sharpish in the final few minutes before kick-off. By no means scientific, but from a quick glance around, it looks pretty full.

KICK-OFF

Ayoze Perez and Remy Cabella get us up and running. A roar from the Gallowgate to get their team going.

Right, teams are out.

West Brom are rocking their red away strip, the sun is shining, John Carver looks chipper on the sidelines. We are all ready for the off.

Can you beat Lawro?

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Fancy yourself as a bit of a Mystic Meg? Why not have a go at this?

Map out the road to Premier League and Cup glory by predicting the scores for all the remaining ties in the Premier League and the FA Cup final and see how your guesses fare against BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson.

Play our BBC predictor game here.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Milo Thompson on Twitter: Pardew had to go. The error was not appointing a manger with any pedigree - Carver couldn't even hack it in the MLS

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Alistair Mann

BBC Match of the Day commentator

"The famous American circus impresario PT Barnum is often attributed as the man who first introduced the idea that there's no such thing as bad publicity. It's debatable whether Newcastle United would agree with the sentiment.

"Perhaps poignantly, this week marks the 60th anniversary of their last domestic trophy success and there's not a single one of their thousands of fiercely loyal supporters who wouldn't gladly sacrifice the constant spotlight for just a taste of some on-field glory.

"The contrast to the mood of visitors West Brom couldn't be starker. With Albion's status all but secured, courtesy of a stunning win at Old Trafford, they'll be able to express themselves without any of the anxiety that is sure to engulf the home dressing room.

"Perhaps another PT Barnum quote may be appropriate for the Newcastle players entrusted to cope with what's sure to be a cauldron of angst within St' James Park: 'Fortune always favours the brave and never helps a man who doesn't help himself.'"

Getty Images

Here's some news about Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. Some of the club's fans might find what follows distressing.

"Billionaire Mike Ashley was nearly £100m richer as a result of the election," reports the Guardian.

"Labour leader Ed Miliband had promised to end the worst abuses of zero-hours contracts, giving workers the right to a regular contract after 12 weeks. Sports Direct has 15,000 of its staff on such contracts and its shares jumped 4.5%, adding £95m to the value of founder Ashley's shares."

BBC coverage

Getty Images

Before Newcastle's vital match against West Brom, BBC World Service will have interviews with former Newcastle defenders Nikos Dabizas and Olivier Bernard to discuss what is going wrong at St James' Park.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

BBC

"Dark clouds gathering over St James' Park - especially after Sunderland's win at Everton."

I'm sure most Newcastle fans will be trying to keep an eye on what is going on elsewhere this afternoon.

BBC Sport now offers a separate live page on each Premier League game, so you can keep abreast of happenings elsewhere.

Click on the link below for each game.

Aston Villa v West Ham (15:00 BST)

Hull v Burnley (15:00 BST)

Leicester v Southampton (15:00 BST)

Newcastle v West Brom (15:00 BST)

Stoke v Tottenham (15:00 BST)

Getty Images

John Carver is in the building.

There are not a whole lot of Newcastle fans with bums on seats yet though.

Very patchy all around St James Park.

@NUFC

Newcastle coach John Carver has decided that - after declaring himself the best coach in the Premier League this week - less is more when it comes to programme notes.

Just 34 words and a whacking great photo fill his page.

We've all been there.

Up against a deadline, short of ideas, tweak up the font size and away you go...

BBC Final Score

We've teamed up with Final Score to get your thoughts on Newcastle's prospects for the remainder of the season - and whether they will stay up or not.

Vote now at the top of this page. The vote will close at 16:50 BST and terms and conditions can be found here.

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The Magpies have lost eight Premier League matches in a row and only once before have they had a streak of at least nine defeats in the top flight (10 from August to October 1977). They went on to be relegated that season.

Newcastle already have the longest losing streak in the Premier League this season (eight). Aston Villa lost seven matches between January and February 2015, their streak ended with a 2-1 home victory against West Brom.

Full-time at Goodison Park. Sunderland have won 2-0 to shoot up to 14th. Newcastle are now just a point away from the relegation zone.

Make no mistake about it, Newcastle are deep, deep in trouble. And are flat-lining at just the wrong time.

ALAMY

Newcastle are forced into a defensive re-jig after Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat's red cards against Leicester. Vurnon Anita fills in as makeshift full-backs while Remy Cabella is included in a more attack-minded line-up.

West Brom make one change from the side that won away to Manchester United last time out with Victor Anichebe in place of Saido Berahino up front.

Newcastle XI: Krul, Anita, Coloccini, Dummett, Gutierrez, Sissoko, R Taylor, Colback, Perez, Riviere, Cabella

West Brom XI: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott, Gardner, Fletcher, Mulumbu, Yacob, Brunt, Anichebe

Let's have a look at how the two teams line up then...

Local and relegation rivals Sunderland - leading 2-0 - are moments away from victory away to Everton. Those three points would move the Black Cats out of the bottom three and above Newcastle.

Eight successive league defeats have left morale as low as a snake's belly.

This is a massive, massive game for Newcastle if they are to avoid another taste of Championship cattle-class.

Reuters

This afternoon has not started well for Newcastle....