Premier League: West Bromwich Albion 1 Newcastle 3

An inspired performance from midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has helped Newcastle to a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Ben Arfa teed up 10-million-pound January signing Papiss Demba Cisse for United’s first goal early at the Hawthorns, before scoring himself later as Newcastle eased to their 14th Premier League victory this season.

Ben Arfa, so often a frustrating figure since his arrival at St James’ Park, also created Cisse’s second goal in an exhilarating first-half performance as Newcastle went another three points closer to securing a top-six finish.

Looking more like the Netherlands than the Magpies in their tangerine change kit, Newcastle were the first side to work either goalkeeper, when a Cisse cross was only half cleared and Demba Ba’s volley into the ground was tipped over the bar by Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster in the fourth minute.

Nevertheless, no more than ninety seconds later and Alan Pardew’s side were rewarded for their bright start with the opening goal.

Albion boss Roy Hodgson will have been disappointed at his sides failure to properly clear their lines from a corner, and they were punished to the fullest extent.

A clever through pass from Argentina international Jonas Gutierrez found Ben Arfa in the left-hand channel, and his low cross found the unmarked Cisse, who stroked home his fourth goal in the Premier League.

Some Ben Arfa magic saw the visitors double their lead just six minutes later.

Ben Arfa began his run midway inside his own half, picking up a headed clearance from captain Fabricio Coloccini and playing a clever one-two with Yohan Cabaye before feeding the ball into Cisse.

The Newcastle number nine played the ball to his right, back to Ben Arfa, who got onto his left foot, and planted a shot past Foster into the far corner from 12 yards.

The goal from the former Lyon and Marseille winger ensured that, for the first time in Premier League history, the side from St. James’ Park were two goals up away from home, inside 15 minutes.

Newcastle’s third goal in the 34th minute saw Ben Arfa involved yet again.

The mercurial midfielder was at the heart of the move, cutting in from the right and driving at the heart of the Albion defence.

Top-scorer Ba back-heeled into the path of Cisse after Ben Arfa slid a pass in his direction, and the Senegalese striker finished past a helpless Foster.

Albion pulled a goal back in fortunate circumstances, as a mix-up between Newcastle defender Mike Williamson and goalkeeper Tim Krul allowed Shane Long to tap home the easiest of his seven goals this season.

The vociferous Hawthorns faithful almost had another goal to cheer about shortly after, however a low drive from Peter Odemwingie was dealt with by Krul, who beat it behind for a corner.

The Newcastle defence was not looking as composed in the second half without Coloccini, who was substituted at half-time.

Centre-back Williamson was booked for a foul on Long in the 68th minute and from the resultant free-kick, the ball was clipped into the box, eventually landing at the feet of Liam Ridgewell, who sliced a right-footed shot over.

Albion continued to press in the later stages, with Long proving to be a thorn in the re-jigged Newcastle backline.

But the hosts were unable to test Krul with anything meaningful as the away side played out time and were more than happy with their three goals and three points.