West Bromich Albion

Birmingham 1-1 West Brom
Nathan Ellington equalised two minutes after coming on as substitute to give West Bromwich Albion a deserved point in the relegation battle at Birmingham. Diomansy Kamara missed an open goal and Kevin Campbell struck a post as Bryan Robson's side dominated the first half. But Mikael Forssell gave Birmingham the lead from the spot in the 49th minute after he was fouled by Curtis Davies. Ellington scored from Kanu's pass after 70 minutes - and was denied a winner when he struck the bar in injury time. Birmingham will be relieved to have escaped with a point, but stay in the Premiership's bottom three. West Brom had much the better of a tense first half, and were guilty of two glaring misses as they attempted to press home their superiority. Jonathan Greening raced into the penalty area before serving up the perfect cross for Kamara who, unmarked and only six yards out, somehow side-footed wide of an open goal. And eight minutes later Campbell was the culprit, lazily hitting the outside of the post with only keeper Taylor to beat after Kamara flicked on Ronnie Wallwork's pass. Even then Birmingham were fortunate to escape, Martin Taylor retreating to clear Jan Kozak's shot off the line from the rebound. Birmingham had barely threatened, but took the lead totally against the run of play four minutes after the interval. Youngster Davies tangled with Forssell, and as the Finnish striker went down, referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot. Forssell regained his composure to send Tomasz Kuszczak the wrong way. West Brom were undaunted, and Taylor saved well from Junichi Inamoto before Robson made a crucial substitution after 68 minutes. He sent on Kanu and Ellington for Campbell and Inamoto - and reaped his reward within two minutes. Mario Melchiot's error let in Kamara, and he found Kanu, who set up Ellington for a fine low finish. Ellington was unfortunate not to snatch a late winner when his swerving shot almost deceived Taylor - and then he came even closer in the dying seconds when he hit the bar from close range. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce: "We have sometimes bemoaned our luck this season but a huge slice has gone in our favour. I'm sure Bryan Robson will be disappointed not to have won the game. "We have got to admit we were fortunate to get away with a point when you defend the way we defended. "Some of the stuff we did was shambolic defending on our part and the goal sums up the way it was for us. "Martin Taylor, Martin Latka and Mario Melchiot all made mistakes in the build-up. "We were constantly under pressure when West Brom put the ball forward because we couldn't deal with it." West Brom manager Bryan Robson: "We had three chances in the first half. They were not really chances but absolute sitters. We are disappointed we didn't put them away. "Kamara and Campbell missed good opportunities and Kozak is probably our best finisher so I was surprised when his rebound shot was kicked off the line. "Those free chances should have put us in front at half time but we keep missing too many good chances in games. If you keep doing that, you will always be struggling in matches. "But I am delighted with the character shown by the players. It is difficult when you go a goal down in a game like that but we kept playing our football and created chances and I've got to give my players credit for that." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Martin Taylor, Latka, Lazaridis, Pennant (Izzet 56), Johnson, Butt, Dunn (Kilkenny 80), Forssell (Campbell 77), Heskey. Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Bruce. Booked: Melchiot, Butt. Goals: Forssell 49 pen. West Brom: Kuszczak, Watson, Curtis Davies, Albrechtsen, Robinson (Clement 42), Kamara, Wallwork, Kozak, Inamoto (Kanu 68), Greening, Campbell (Ellington 68). Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Carter. Booked: Robinson, Clement, Wallwork. Goals: Ellington 70. Att: 28,041 Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

West Brom v Man Utd
West Brom defender Paul Robinson has shaken off a knee injury and will feature, but midfielder Nigel Quashie is still serving a suspension. Zoltan Gera (pelvis) is not quite ready for a return to first-team action. Manchester United defender Wes Brown will miss the trip to The Hawthorns with a groin injury, so Nemanja Vidic is set to take his place at the back. Ruud van Nistelrooy will be hoping for a recall up front, but United are unlikely to rest Wayne Rooney. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom (from): Kuszczak, Kirkland, Albrechtsen, Davies, Watson, Clement, Robinson, Greening, Inamoto, Wallwork, Kamara, Kozak, Campbell, Kanu, Ellington, Carter. Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Richardson, Evra, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Fletcher, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Saha, Van Nistelrooy, Rossi. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom assistant manager Nigel Pearson: "We came out of last week's game against Birmingham with lots of positives. "What's important is we hit that same level until the end of the season. "If we do that on a regular basis, we'll pick up points. No doubt about that. We can give anybody a problem." Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz: "We need great players but, once in a while, for different circumstances, it does happen that one player doesn't play. "For the last three games it has been Ruud, tomorrow it could be someone else. "But Ruud is part of our family, part of our needs and part of our team and no-one should be in any doubt about that."

Baggies hit by Kamara injury blow
Diomansy Kamara is set to miss key matches for West Brom as the Baggies battle against relegation in the run-in to the Premiership campaign. The Senegal midfielder limped out of Saturday's defeat by Manchester United. Manager Bryan Robson said: "We'll see how the injury settles down but it looks like a strained hamstring so he could be out for a few weeks." The 25-year-old has only been back for four games since representing his country at the African Cup of Nations. Robson is also left sweating on the fitness of veteran striker Kevin Campbell as he prepares for the visit to Tottenham on 27 March. The Baggies skipper suffered a knee injury against the Red Devils and had to be substituted at half-time.

West Brom 1-2 Man Utd
Manchester United tightened their grip on second place by beating West Brom, thanks to a double by Louis Saha. The Frenchman gave United an early lead, capitalising on slack West Brom marking to head past Tomasz Kuszczak. Midway through the second half Kuszczak was powerless to stop Saha's clipped finish after a flowing United move. Edwin van der Sar made two great saves in the first half but the Dutchman was finally beaten with 12 minutes to go when Nathan Ellington headed in. Ellington's goal ensured a tense finale, although the visitors were well worth their win. Saha could have a hat-trick when - after another United counter-attack - he had a close-range shot blocked. On another day Wayne Rooney might have had a hat-trick, too. But with the goal at his mercy on three occasions, he was superbly tackled by Martin Albrechtsen, Junichi Inamoto and then Steve Watson. The win moved United five points clear of third-placed Liverpool, who have played a game more than Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Defeat for West Brom and Portsmouth's victory at West Ham leaves the Midlands side facing another nail-biting run-in as they seek to avoid relegation for a second successive season. The in-form Saha had again been preferred to Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had only returned to England early on Saturday after his wife suffered a family bereavement. Saha was quickly into his stride, sending in a cross on to the roof of Kuszczak's net. The Frenchman's next contribution proved altogether more deadly as he drifted away from Ronnie Wallwork to plant a header past Kuszczak following Ryan Giggs' corner. Giggs might have added a second when he burst into the box only to be denied by Kuszczak's reaction save. Just before that chance from Giggs, Van der Sar had to make two superb saves to protect United's lead as West Brom finished the opening half strongly. The Dutchman flung himself to his right to tip away Diomansy Kamara's free-kick and then dived the other way to save Davies' powerful header. Kanu replaced the ineffectual Kevin Campbell for the start of the second half and the Nigerian immediately brought more vim to the West Brom attack trying his luck with a speculative shot. West Brom manager Bryan Robson needed to make a further shuffle in attack, bringing on Ellington when Kamara limped off. But as the West Brom attack took time to readjust to those changes, United broke clear to extend their lead with a devastating counter-attack. Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo combined to release Saha, who after quickly controlling the ball, guided his shot past the onrushing Kuszczak Ellington briefly revived West Brom's hopes when he headed in from a corner but West Brom never looked like scoring a second goal after that. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom manager Bryan Robson: "We started the game quite well, but the way we gave away the goal was typical of how we have played over the last few matches. "It was a really poor goal to concede and once United get in front they make it really difficult for you. "Somewhere along the line we have to start putting it all together." Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson: "We all know Ruud van Nistelrooy is a fantastic player and he will get his opportunity again. "But at the moment Louis Saha merits his place in the team at the moment because of his goals and his performances. "It is unfortunate for Ruud but he just has to be patient, which he has been." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Watson, Curtis Davies, Robinson, Greening, Kozak (Carter 69), Inamoto, Kamara (Ellington 59), Wallwork, Campbell (Kanu 45). Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Clement. Booked: Robinson. Goals: Ellington 78. Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Richardson (Fletcher 89), Giggs, Rooney, Saha. Subs Not Used: Howard, Evra, van Nistelrooy, Rossi. Booked: Richardson, Silvestre, Giggs. Goals: Saha 16, 64. Att: 27,623. Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

Horsfield on his way back to WBA
Geoff Horsfield looks set to leave Sheffield United, less than a month after joining on loan from West Brom. The 32-year-old has made just one start since arriving from The Hawthorns and is now considered surplus to requirements at Bramall Lane. A club statement said: "It has been mutually agreed to investigate ways of terminating the current arrangement." The Blades have seen their promotion bid wobble in recent weeks and slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Norwich on Saturday.

Tottenham v West Brom
Tottenham coach Martin Jol has no major injury concerns ahead of Monday's Premiership game. Defender Anthony Gardner is the only doubt but he is expected to shake off a virus, while Andy Reid (knee) and Lee Barnard (foot) are in the squad. West Brom striker Diomansy Kamara is a doubt because of a hamstring strain. Kevin Campbell (calf) is back and Zolton Gera could make the squad but Nigel Quashie is suspended and keeper Chris Kirkland (broken finger) is out. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Stalteri, Kelly, Dawson, King, Gardner, Lee, Huddlestone, Jenas, Carrick, Davids, Murphy, Lennon, Tainio, Mido, Defoe, Keane, Barnard, Reid. West Brom (from): Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Davies, Watson, Clement, Robinson, Greening, Inamoto, Wallwork, Gera, Kamara, Campbell, Kozak, Kanu, Ellington, Carter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham manager Martin Jol: "West Brom is a difficult team for us. We played against them earlier in the season and lost 2-0 and last year was a draw both home and away, so they are not easy. "They won't fear us because there is no fear in the Premiership. They are all good players, so why should you fear another team? "Of course there is always pressure, because they have to win this game - they need the points. We also need the points." West Brom manager Bryan Robson: "They are a nice footballing side and tend to allow you to play some decent football as well. That's always been Tottenham's way. "Since I've been at the club we've played them four times and they've been good and close games. "As long as our lads go there really positive, we can get a decent result there. We have proved that we can match Tottenham in the past." BIG-MATCH FACTS TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR will face struggling West Midlands opposition for the second match running when West Bromwich Albion visit White Hart Lane for the Premiership's Monday night match. Last Saturday evening, the Londoners won 0-2 at Birmingham, to claim the all-important fourth place back from north London rivals Arsenal, who had swapped places following a 3-0 afternoon victory over Charlton. The same scenario could occur this time around, with the Gunners - one place and two points in arrears - going to Portsmouth two days before this fixture is staged. Tottenham have an old score to settle. The last time they were beaten by more than a single goal, it was West Brom who did the damage. Spurs, who are enjoying their best ever Premiership season, are defending a 13-match unbeaten home League run of eight victories and five draws. They've not lost a League game on their own patch to non-London opposition since Bolton took the spoils on 23 October 2004 - a fortnight before Martin Jol had hold of the managerial reigns. Spurs have won one and drawn one of the only two previous home Premiership matches against West Brom, but they lost this season's reverse fixture in December. Two well-taken goals by Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu made it a luckless return to the Hawthorns for Jol. WEST BROMWICH ALBION are resigned to another nerve jangling run-in. They could even find themselves back in the relegation zone by the time this game kicks off, but for that to happen crest fallen Birmingham would have to win their Sunday fixture at Manchester United. Albion are winless in five League games, and have only returned from an away trip with maximum points once in the last calendar year (from Wigan on 15 January). Despite that they've still bagged more points to this stage of a Premier League season than ever before. The Baggies have won only half as many Premiership matches as Spurs (seven to Tottenham's 14). The opposing managers were appointed permanently within one day of each other - just over 500 days ago. Albion have won 12 League games from 56 matches under Bryan Robson, Spurs have enjoyed 25 victories from 56 since confirmation of Jol's appointment. The Baggies have 'doubled' Spurs nine times in their League history. That includes back-to-back 'doubles' in 1980/81 and 81/82. But if they're to achieve such a feat this season, they'll have to win at White Hart Lane for the first time in over 21 years, since prevailing 2-3 on 3 November 1984.

Tottenham 2-1 West Brom
Robbie Keane's late penalty gave Spurs a dramatic victory over West Brom. Spurs had trailed to Curtis Davies' powerful first-half header and the Baggies were set for only their second away league win of the season. But Keane sent in a deft chip after Michael Carrick's pass with 22 minutes remaining to pull Tottenham level. And with the draw looming, Baggies' keeper Tomasz Kuszczak hauled down Jermain Defoe in the box and Keane coolly converted the spot-kick. The result was tough on the Baggies whose stubborn defending looked set to earn them at least a point. But the win - which put Spurs three points clear of Blackburn in fourth place in the Premiership - was no easy task despite Albion's poor recent form which had garnered just one win in their previous nine matches. The home side began poorly, and it was no surprise as Davies rose high to divert Greening's perfect free-kick into the net. But the home side increased the pressure as the interval approached. Defoe, handed a chance to boost his England World Cup hopes when he was picked to start ahead of Mido, forced a good save from Kuszczak on 40 minutes with a rasping drive from the edge of the box. Ledley King also saw a shot deflected behind for a corner, while Lennon's shot in first-half injury time was tipped around the post by Kuszczak. The pressure continued after the break and Jermaine Jenas' right-foot drive flew past the angle of post and bar, Keane's glancing header was off target, and Mido shot just wide. With Albion's defence under such pressure, a goal seemed likely and it was Keane who supplied it, netting his fifth goal in the past six games as his well-judged chip drifted into the corner. The game opened up and Mido had a shot saved by Kuszczak, while at the other end Kanu's header was clutched on the line by Robinson. But just as a draw looked on the cards, hesitation from the Baggies' keeper allowed Defoe to latch on to a high ball. The keeper pulled down the striker, and although Mido eventually netted the loose ball, referee Chris Foy had already awarded a penalty. Kuszczak stayed on the pitch as Foy produced only a yellow card - but his next action was to pick Keane's spot-kick out of the net as the Irishman sealed Spurs' win.

Fifa to launch Kuszczak inquiry
Fifa is investigating claims West Bromwich Albion keeper Tomasz Kuszczak owes £100,000 to his former agent. Shep Messing says his company is owed money dating back to Kuszczak's move from Hertha Berlin in summer of 2004. A Fifa spokesman said: "We can confirm Fifa's players' status committee is investigating this case." But Kuszczak insisted: "If and when any claim is brought forward I will strenuously defend myself and it will be subject to a counter claim." The Fifa spokesman added: "It is too early to say what will happen or what, if any, sanctions would be taken if somebody was found guilty in such a case. "Each case is taken on an individual basis and investigations are continuing." Kuszczak is determined to mount a defence and said: "I have had no contact from Fifa and I am waiting for this matter to be dealt with through the proper channels." Messing confirmed: "We have filed a complaint with Fifa about Tomasz. Our problem is not with West Brom or chairman Jeremy Peace, who has done all he can to resolve this issue and been very helpful. "I would like to stress West Bromwich Albion have done nothing wrong. This is about a player who owes us money and we are confident Fifa will rule in our favour. "We did not wish to create this publicity but we felt we had no option but to take the matter further."

West Brom 0-2 Liverpool
Liverpool eased to victory over a relegation-threatened West Brom side. A defensive error allowed Reds striker Robbie Fowler to tap-in at the far post from Djibril Cisse's cross after just six minutes. The lacklustre home side were further punished when Cisse slotted in after Xabi Alonso's 60-yard pass. Zolten Gera inspired a Baggies revival but he saw two strikes saved while Jonathan Greening blazed over to sum up the home side's frustration. West Brom went into the game knowing that relegation-battling rivals Portsmouth had beaten Fulham while Birmingham had earned a point again Chelsea. But the home side got off to a nightmare start as their cheap concession of possession and poor defending was severely punished. Baggies left-back Paul Robinson mistimed a sliding interception of Xabi Alonso's through ball and Djibril Cisse, who was not penalised for an apparent handball, was left to cross for Fowler to tap-in at the far post. The goal moved Fowler ahead of Kenny Dalglish in the Anfield club's scoring charts. Diomansy Kamara sent a well-struck 20-yard strike into the arms of keeper Jose Reina but that was as good as it got for Bryan Robson's side. Instead, they were fortunate not to be further behind with the visitors looking dangerous with every attack and the Baggies defence becoming more and more vulnerable. Alonso was proving to be the architect behind Liverpool's forward foray while Cisse's pace and industry constantly troubled West Brom. And the pair combined to extend the Reds' lead when Cisse latched onto the Spaniard's driven ball from defence and rounded keeper Tomasz Kuszczak before slotting into an empty net. West Brom introduced Gera after the break and he immediately had an impact by sending a shot just wide of the post. He then produced a powerful angled drive which Reina will be glad was straight at him after he gathered at the second attempt. Kuszczak quickly came off his line to smother a Cisse shot when the Frenchman again broke clear before Gera went close with another finely struck effort at the other end. Liverpool were happy to hold on to their lead and they gave West Brom a sniff of a goal in a rare moment of panic but Greening shot high from 15 yards. The defeat leaves the Baggies level on points with third-from-bottom Portsmouth, who have played a game less. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom assistant manager Nigel Pearson: "The way that we performed in the first half was very disappointing. "We knew what we had to do before the game after the other results but we just didn't turn up. That's unacceptable and the players know that. "We find ourselves in a difficult position but we are still confident we have got enough here and the spirit in the camp to get out of it." Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez: "We need to keep going until the end of the season. "You cannot think it will be impossible and you just have to think about winning the next game. "We know it will be really difficult as Man Utd keep winning but our idea it to carry on winning as well so we are sure to finish third and maybe second." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Watson (Clement 62), Curtis Davies, Robinson, Kamara (Gera 45), Johnson, Wallwork, Greening, Kanu (Campbell 62), Ellington. Subs Not Used: Hoult, Kozak. Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell, Cisse (Kromkamp 78), Crouch (Morientes 71), Fowler (Luis Garcia 65). Subs Not Used: Dudek, Warnock. Goals: Fowler 7, Cisse 38. Att: 27,576 Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).

Robson opposed to O'Neill option
West Brom manager Bryan Robson believes former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill should not become England's new boss. The Football Association is believed to have a shortlist of three or four names to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson - and O'Neill is thought to be a candidate. But former England captain Robson told Sir Stanley: "I would like to see an Englishman back in the job." Robson added that this view would obviously rule out Northern Irishman O'Neill "as far as I'm concerned". Robson stated: "Bobby Robson went to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 1990 and Terry Venables reached the semi-finals of the European Championships in 1996. "So the English managers have proved they can do the job and do it very well. "I feel there are enough good coaches to handle the top players in the country. "I would like it to be an English manager."

Aston Villa v West Brom
Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry is out with a knee injury, but striker Milan Baros is in line for a recall after overcoming his ankle injury. Captain Olof Mellberg (hamstring) misses out, so Gary Cahill is expected to make his first Premiership start alongside Liam Ridgewell. West Brom will have Nigel Quashie back after serving a five-game ban. Steve Watson (hamstring) and Nathan Ellington (foot) are rated 50-50 for the game and will have fitness tests. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Taylor, Hughes, Cahill, Ridgewell, Davis, McCann, Hendrie, Angel, Phillips, Baros, Moore, Whittingham, De La Cruz, Gardner, Agbonlahor, Olejnik, Djemba-Djemba. West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Davies, Watson, Robinson, Greening, Quashie, Kozak, Wallwork, Johnson, Kamara, Ellington, Kanu, Campbell, Hoult, Gera, Inamoto, Campbell. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry: "We've got some nice home games coming up, some big derbies for the fans to enjoy, so hopefully we can finish the season well. "The derby games are going to see pressure on the teams who have got less points than us. "We have had a poor home record this season and want to put it right." West Brom midfielder Nigel Quashie (returning from a five-match suspension): "I don't see the game with Villa as a test - I have made a mistake and have learned from it. "I have been counting down the days to Sunday's game. It seems such a long time since I got banned, and it's good to see light at the end of the tunnel. "I've taken it on the chin and now I need to show why West Brom bought me."

Arsenal 3-1 West Brom
Dennis Bergkamp came on to score one and create one as Arsenal stepped up their challenge for fourth spot and dent West Brom's survival hopes. The home side looked to be heading for a comfortable victory after Alexander Hleb's skill and power put them ahead. Skipper Nigel Quashie capitalised on an Emmanuel Eboue mistake to give the visitors hope after 72 minutes. But Bergkamp set up Pires to put the Gunners ahead and then sealed the win with a delightful curling shot. The stadium was awash with orange as the home fans donned the colour of Bergkamp's native Holland to pay tribute to the Dutchman's 11-year spell at Highbury. And with Bergkamp looking on from the bench, the Arsenal line-up was in need of his creativity in the first half. The quiet start favoured West Brom as the visitors set about frustrating the Arsenal attack and even posed problems for the hosts. What a fitting tribute for Bergkamp to score on Dennis Bergkamp Day - one of the greatest footballers ever! From G4L Have your say on 606 Quashie saw a speculative long-range drive drift wide of the upright, while Neil Clement slashed a free-kick over. Thierry Henry missed Arsenal's best chance of the half when he pushed his shot wide of the post when clean through on goal. The Baggies defence looked to be heading into the break level, but Hleb powered Arsenal ahead just before the interval. The Belarus international charged into the box, exchanged a neat one-two with Henry and drilled a left-foot shot into the roof of the net. Arsenal started the second half with the same zest that they finished the first with and the superb Curtis Davies twice kept Henry at bay. But clear chances were kept to a premium and for all their possession, Arsenal struggled to test Tomasz Kuszczak. With Wednesday's Champions League semi-final in mind, boss Arsene Wenger withdrew Henry with Emmanuel Adebayor replacing the Frenchman. The loudest cheer of the afternoon was saved for Bergkamp's introduction midway through the second half as the Gunners looked to kill off the match. But with Arsenal minds on the substitutions, West Brom countered and caught the Gunners defence sleeping and drew level. Quashie capitalised on Eboue's error and neatly fired home from the edge of the area on 72 minutes. West Brom had a decent shout for a penalty turned down 10 minutes from time as Davies went down after Eboue looked to have clipped the centre back. Arsenal responded four minutes later when the two substitutes Pires and Bergkamp combined and the Frenchman poked home past two defenders. But the day was to belong to Bergkamp who sealed the win with a trademark curling shot at the end. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on Bergkamp: "He never loses the class and after 10 fantastic years he proves that he can still play. "It would have been sad not to have brought him on and I felt we were looking for his quality to create the opportunities we needed at the end. "We showed a great reaction at 1-1 and I'm pleased with the chances we made." West Brom manager Bryan Robson: "I'm disappointed because we started to play some decent football in the second half but the players simply got too excitable at 1-1. "That was the main reason we lost because when we started to attack and go forward we left holes for Arsenal. "It was a good opportunity to pick up an invaluable point after pulling back to 1-1 but we got too excited." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Flamini, Hleb (Pires 71), Silva, Diaby, Reyes, Henry (Adebayor 62), Van Persie (Bergkamp 72). Subs Not Used: Poom, Djourou. Booked: Toure, Reyes. Goals: Hleb 44, Pires 76, Bergkamp 89. West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Clement, Robinson, Greening, Wallwork (Carter 79), Quashie, Gera (Inamoto 63), Kamara, Kanu (Campbell 59). Subs Not Used: Hoult, Watson. Booked: Quashie. Goals: Quashie 72. Att: 38,167 Ref: M Dean (Wirral).

West Brom v Bolton
West Brom midfielder Darren Carter (groin) is doubtful but striker Nathan Ellington (foot) is expected to return. Ronnie Wallwork starts a two-game ban, while Thomas Gaardsoe (hernia) and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland (broken finger) remain long-term absentees. Tal Ben Haim is suspended for Bolton after his red card against Chelsea but defender Nicky Hunt is available following a ban. Jay-Jay Okocha and Stelios could both return to the starting line-up. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom (from): Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Davie, Clement, Robinson, Greening, Carter, Quashie, Gera, Inamoto, Kamara, Kanu, Campbell, Etherington, Hoult, Watson. Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, O'Brien, N'Gotty, Jaidi, Gardner, Pedersen, Campo, Faye, Speed, Okocha, Giannakopoulos, Davies, Nolan, Borgetti, Vaz Te, Diouf, Walker, Nakata.

Newcastle v West Brom
England striker Michael Owen makes the Newcastle squad for the first time since fracturing a foot bone against Tottenham on New Year's Eve. But striker Alan Shearer (knee), Scott Parker (illness) and Lee Bowyer (hamstring) are missing and Shola Ameobi remains a doubt. West Brom will be without suspended midfielder Ronnie Wallwork. But striker Nathan Ellington should return after missing the last three matches with a foot injury. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder: "We are in a brilliant position. We are fighting for a UEFA Cup place, and being in Europe means everything. This club is geared to playing in Europe every year. "That is why, if we don't make the UEFA Cup then we will enter the Intertoto Cup and try to get into the UEFA Cup that way. "I know my players want an extra 10 days' holiday. If you ask them whether they would prefer returning to training at the end of June or coming back a couple of weeks later, I know what they would say." West Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening: "At least we're still in with a shout with only a three-point gap to Portsmouth and a better goal difference, and the same gap to Birmingham and only a slightly inferior goal difference. "At the moment it's still basically only a one-game swing and if we can take the battle to stay up to the last game again, hopefully history will repeat itself. "I believe we need to go unbeaten in our last three games to give ourselves a chance and we're capable of that."

Newcastle 3-0 West Brom
Newcastle increased West Brom's relegation worries with a comfortable victory at St James' Park. The home side dominated the first half but Nolberto Solano's tap-in and Shola Ameobi's penalty were all they had to show for the one-way traffic. Three half-time changes gave West Brom more solidity but they still posed little threat up front. Nathan Ellington wasted West Brom's best chance with a weak off-target shot before Ameobi's second sealed the win. After a sluggish start by both sides, Newcastle served notice of what was to come when Solano rattled the bar from 30 yards, with the impressive Matty Pattison putting his follow-up wide. Amdy Faye should have done better following Jonathan Greening's blunder, but eventually Newcastle took a deserved lead when Chopra's shot was deflected into path of Solano, who stabbed home from close range. Neil Clement was lucky to stay on when he pushed over Chopra, having already been booked, but Ameobi gained justice, converting the penalty. West Brom changed their forward pairing at the interval, replacing Diomansy Kamara and Kevin Campbell with Kanu and Nathan Ellington, but without much obvious result. The one-sided nature of the match meant much of the second half was played out in a subdued atmosphere. Charles N'Zogbia and Chopra both had chances to add to Newcastle's advantage as the home side dominated without too much effort. When West Brom finally managed a threat on goal, Ellington's shot from the edge of the box dribbled tamely wide, and with it disappeared any vague threat of a comeback. Ameobi rounded things off, running through to fire home to clinch Newcastle's fifth successive Premiership win. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder: "Shola has had criticism in the past which he does not deserve and he is keen to show the fans what he is capable of. "I have faith in him and have started with him every time he has been fit. He scored two goals in this game and his overall play was excellent. "Shola and Michael Chopra look like they are a good striking partnership." West Brom manager Bryan Robson: "If I could have made 11 changes I would have. Until I made the changes at half-time we didn't compete. "We looked at times as if we looked sorry for ourselves. Mathematically we can still stay up but we are relying big style on Birmingham and Portsmouth. "We also have to win our last two games which we don't look like doing." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle: Given, Carr, Moore, Bramble, Babayaro, Solano, Faye, Pattison (Clark 80), N'Zogbia, Ameobi, Chopra. Subs Not Used: Harper, Elliott, Boumsong, Luque. Goals: Solano 30, Ameobi 40 pen, 90. West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Clement, Robinson, Gera, Watson (Inamoto 45), Quashie, Greening, Campbell (Kanu 45), Kamara (Ellington 45). Subs Not Used: Hoult, Carter. Booked: Clement. Att: 52,272. Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

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