Newcastle can’t afford to let-up, warns Aleksandar Mitrovic

Newcastle 1 West Brom 0: Newcastle match-winner Aleksandar Mitrovic warned team-mates not to rest on their laurels after edging out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

The Serbian’s fifth goal of the season clinched a priceless victory but with difficult away trips to Chelsea and Stoke either side of an 18-day lay-off to come, Mitrovic knows the job is far from done.

“It’s very important for us, for our confidence, but we still don’t have anything. We have 13 games more, and they are like finals for us.

“We need to keep our feet on the ground, to work hard, and try to improve.”

Steve McClaren’s patched-up side took the game to the Baggies from the off, and but for keeper Ben Foster and a post, which denied £12 million signing Andros Townsend a goal on his home debut, they might have won far more comprehensively.

The winner came on 32 minutes, Mitrovic running on to Jonjo Shelvey’s through-ball to slot past Foster.

With West Brom just six points outside the drop zone, boss Tony Pulis admitted his depleted side can’t afford to think they are safe. “I don’t think anybody in the bottom half will think they are safe. It’s shown year after year — and I have fought enough battles in it — you have to get the points, it’s not good looking over your shoulder.”

NEWCASTLE:

Elliot, Janmaat, Taylor, Coloccini, Aarons, Shelvey (Saivet 90), Tiote, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Townsend (Perez 88), Mitrovic

Not used:

Darlow, Doumbia, Barlaser, Gibson, Williams.

W BROM:

Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Chester, Yacob, Sandro (Berahino 46), Gardner (Pritchard 46), Fletcher, McClean, Anichebe (Rondon 74).

Not used:

Myhill, Pocognoli, Lambert, Sessegnon.

Referee:

Lee Mason.