Battle ... Relegation contenders Newcastle are held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion. Source: Martin Rickett / AFP
Newcastle's relegation fears deepen after drawing with West Bromwich, while Norwich City get past Reading and Swansea share the points with Southampton.
Newcastle United were impressive on their travels to West Bromwich Albion as they deservedly took the lead through Yoan Gouffan's header off Papiss Cisse's centre. Thereafter though they were left to rue profligacy in front of goal, as Cisse proved the chief culprit with some wayward finishing.
West Brom improved in the second half and punished Newcastle's wastefulness in drawing level on 65 minutes, when Billy Jones steered past Rob Elliot to round off a smart move that involved James Morison and Romelu Lukaku.
All the pre-match previews had Swansea's hosting of Southampton as a stylish and likely engaging affair but the game proved to be a damp squib. In the first half, Michel Vorm saved a Rickie Lambert free-kick that looked to be heading for the top corner but otherwise there was precious little to report.
It barely improved thereafter as Swansea went closest to finding a breakthrough when Nathan Dyer thought he had scored only to find Maya Yoshida perfectly placed to clear off the line.
Norwich endured a nervy opening first half at home to Reading but once they found a way past Alex McCarthy just five minutes after the interval there was only ever to be one winner.
McCarthy did well to repel Grant Holt's header from a corner but could do nothing to stop substitute Ryan Bennett from dispatching the rebound from close range.
A further nail in Reading's top-flight coffin was hammered in by Elliott Bennett when again Nigel Adkins' side failed to deal with a Norwich corner. It was no goal of the month contender but nonetheless one that pushes Chris Hughton's side that bit closer to safety.
Garath McCleary's goal 15 minutes from time looked to have got Reading back into the contest, but ultimately proved to be nothing more than the scantest of consolations.
Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8656158/Premier-League-round-up
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