Matt Phillips secures crucial victory as West Brom show fight to beat Newcastle and keep survival hopes alive

Newcastle United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1: Darren Moore has turned West Brom’s form around, picking up a second victory that keeps them, for now, in the Premier League

Darren Moore celebrate's West Brom's winning goal against Newcastle (Getty)

There was no histrionics, just a few polite handshakes with Rafa Benitez and his backroom staff and then Darren Moore was gone.

Perhaps that is the key.

His profile was large enough during the game, but when the whistle went and West Bromwich Albion’s late resurgence meant they were still a Premier League team, at least for now, he was off.

His players, and they genuinely look that, had added atop their victory at Old Trafford and their draws with Liverpool and Swansea.

For that, they had organisation, shape, and a Matt Phillips strike in the 29th minute to see them to the 28 point mark. When Moore slipped down the St James’ Park tunnel, West Brom were five points behind Swansea, who were kicking off at half-five, with two games of their season remaining.

If this late flourish has done nothing else, it has at least presented Moore as a credible successor to Alan Pardew.

The lead came had come just before the half hour mark. Jake Livermore hooked a ball over the head of Paul Dummett and suddenly Phillips was in on goal, facing just Martin Dubravka. He took a touch and from around 10 yards, smashed an angled right-footed drive that flew into the Newcastle United goal.

It did not feel out of place with what had come earlier. Dwight Gayle had forced a saved from Ben Foster, from around 20 yards, but it was relatively simple, and James McClean’s low, angled drive at the other end, looked far more menacing.

Darren Moore has turned West Brom's form around since replacing Alan Pardew (Getty)

The goal at least inspired a response from Benitez’s side. It was largely a rare off day, but there were still moments when they came agonisingly close to dragging themselves back into the game.

Five minutes after Phillips had struck, Kenedy linked up delightfully with Ayoze Perez. The Spanish forward produced a lovely through-ball to find the Brazilian, but Kenedy, playing his last game at St James’ Park, at least this season, tried to steer his shot with the outside of his left foot into the far corner of Foster’s goal, but the ball clipped the outside of the post.

Dwight Gayle voiced his displeasure that there had not been a square ball, and in first half injury-time the forward drew a superb stop from Foster.

Matt Phillips scores for West Brom (Getty)

Jonjo Shelvey fired over a left wing corner and Florian Lejeune rose well to head goalwards and Gayle redirected the header from inside the six-yard box. Foster, however instinctively reacted and clawed the ball away from underneath his crossbar clearing danger as he did.

There was still a chance for Jay Rodriguez, who was denied by Dubravka, and then on the hour mark Salomon Rondon blasted an opportunity on the left side of the Newcastle penalty area well wide.

Phillips peels away to celebrate after scoring for West Brom against Newcastle (Getty)

The home side pressed, without creating a great deal. A Matt Ritchie header was taken by Foster, and with ten minutes remaining, Islam Slimani flicked on for Jamaal Lascelles. The on-loan forward, who has hardly played, appeared to aim a kick at Craig Dawson in the West Brom penalty area, an incident missed by referee David Coote.

There would be a chance for Joselu, another substitute, with five minutes remaining, from a deep DeAndre Yedlin cross. He headed wide. It was that kind of day for the home side.

For the visitors and their caretaker boss, in contrast, there was a stay of execution. For now at least.