Anichebe Help West Brom Guarantee Premier League Safety

Victor Anichebe scored a crucial goal for West Bromwich Albion in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United which helped guarantee the Midlands side’s Premier League safety on Saturday.

The Baggies hit the crossbar and the post at St. James’ Park but it was Welsh goalkeeper Boaz Myhill who actually provided the saving act of their Match Day 36 encounter, repelling Moussa Sissoko’s low shot in injury time.

Ayoze Perez’s seventh goal of the season snapped Newcastle’s run of eight straight league defeats, yet they sit just two points above the relegation zone.

Anichebe has now scored five times against the Magpies; more than he has managed against any other Premier League foe. The Nigeria international, on his return to Tony Pulis’ side in place of Saido Berahino, got on the end of Craig Gardner’s near-post free-kick and sent the ball into the net with a thumping header against the run of play.

Victor Anichebe Scores His Fifth Goal Against Newcastle at St. James' Park. Image: Getty.
Victor Anichebe Scores His Fifth Goal Against Newcastle at St. James’ Park. Image: Getty.

John Carver’s men were at that moment rooted down in the bottom three but Perez kept survival hopes alive with his equaliser ten minutes after the opening strike. The visitors failed to clear a Ryan Taylor free-kick inside the box, allowing Perez to drill a left-foot shot from 12 yards across the home goalkeeper into the bottom corner.

West Brom now have 41 points, seven points above the relegation zone with two matches left in the season.

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