Spoils shared at the Hawthorns, but Magpies are still in danger of the drop.
Newcastle United are not safe from relegation after throwing away a half-time lead to only draw 1-1 at mid-table West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle finished fifth last season but this campaign they have lurched back into the inconsistency of previous seasons and still cannot discount a second relegation in four years.
The Magpies slid three places to 16th after Billy Jones cancelled out Yoan Gouffran’s early header at The Hawthorns, leaving the visitors with a solitary away success in the league all season.
The stalemate left Alan Pardew’s side on 37 points, three points above Aston Villa but behind Stoke and Sunderland on goal difference.
Villa have also played one game fewer.
Wigan, currently filling the third relegation slot, are six points adrift of Newcastle but also have a game in hand on the Tyneside club.
Newcastle dominated the early proceedings and went in at the break with their noses in front after Gouffran headed in Papiss Cisse’s cross on eight minutes.
France star Yohan Cabaye should have made it two but shot over and then forced a fine save from Ben Foster in the Albion goal.
Newcastle paid a heavy price for not putting away a clincher when Jones slid home to level in the 64th minute for the hosts.
It could have been even worse for Newcastle when Romelu Lukaku headed Chris Brunt’s corner against the Geordies’ crossbar.
COMMENTS