Darren Fletcher’s gutty late goal lifted West Brom six points clear of 18th place Newcastle with a 1-0 home win over the Magpies at the Hawthorns on Monday.
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West Brom had a series of corners around the 10th minute, and Karl Darlow made a strong opening save to deny James Morrison’s big rip.
At the other end, Boaz Myhill parried a prime 10-yard shot from Georginio Wijnaldum.
[ MORE: Latest Premier League standings ]155 - West Brom have attempted a league-low 155 shots (inc. blocked) in the Premier League in 2015-16. Confined.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 2015
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Paul Dummett headed a corner right off the crossbar, and Fabricio Coloccini back-heeled the rebound off the post. A series of second-half corners defied West Brom’s control of the early stages, but Myhill and the Baggies escaped harm.
The Magpies came close to finding a goal on a few more occasions, and Aleksandar Mitrovic had a PK shout turned down at the Hawthorns.
Victor Anichebe headed a corner of his own off the ground and bar at the other end, as it remained 0-0 with 15 minutes to play.
Then backup keeper Darlow gave up a goal to forget, though surely he won’t. The youngster saw Darren Fletcher’s tepid header elude his dive, and it was 1-0 in the 78th minute.