Newcastle escape drop zone

LONDON: Newcastle United moved out of the Premier League's bottom three on Tuesday with an edgy 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park.

Midfielder Joey Barton, starting his first match since serving a jail sentence for attacking a teenager, tucked away a penalty to give Newcastle an early lead and Obafemi Martins headed a second goal before halftime.

West Brom came to life after the break and for long periods dominated possession. They were rewarded midway through the second half when Ishmael Miller rounded keeper Shay Given to shoot into an empty net.