The pressure to escape relegation from the Premier League is back on Newcastle United after West Brom defeated Southampton to close the gap on them on the log.
They had started the weekend three points ahead of Fulham who occupy the final relegation spot with a game in hand over the Cottagers. Fulham then suffered a major blow with the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Wolves. Malian-born Spanish winger Adama Traore scored in added time to inflict another home defeat on Fulham. The London club has now lost their last three games at home in what’s a blow to their hopes of surviving relegation from the English top flight this term. Their woes were then compounded with the win over Burnley for Newcastle United.
Burnley had taken the lead against the Magpies through the first half strike from Matej Vydra before winger Allan Saint-Maximin came off the bench to turn the game on its head in favour of Newcastle United. He provided the assist for the equaliser from Jacob Murphy before scoring a wonderful solo goal to win the game for his team. At this point, Newcastle United moved six points clear with a game in hand.
A lot of the teams in the bottom half of the table thought Fulham would be the threat to their Premier League survival but it’s looking like it’s going to be West Brom who have now won their last two games. The Baggies followed up the stunning 5-2 away win over 10-man Chelsea last weekend with the 3-0 thumping of Southampton at home. Matheus Pereira (penalty), Matt Philips and Callum Robinson scored to ensure that West Brom close the gap on the Magpies to eight points ahead of the final set of games in the league. To this effect, Newcastle United can’t rest on their laurels in their battle to beat the drop.