The Magpies looked to be heading for a fifth straight defeat against a Baggies side winless in the Premier League since August, Hal Robson-Kanu opening the scoring on the stroke of half time.
Youngster Sam Field volleyed in a second to put United firmly on the back foot, but Ciaran Clark’s header quickly restored hope among the sell-out travelling contingent.
And, with less than ten minutes to play, Salomón Rondon’s own goal brought Newcastle back on level terms, a point apiece a reasonably fair reflection of the evening as a whole.
After a disappointing display against Watford on Saturday, the Magpies started in far more assured fashion at the Hawthorns, enjoying plenty of the ball early on. However, other than a deflected Matt Ritchie effort – which dropped just wide of the far post – they were unable to fashion a real chance in the opening stages.
Out of nothing, they were almost undone themselves with 20 minutes on the clock. Frontman Rondon weighed up his options 30 yards out and decided to let fly, with Karl Darlow – making his first Premier League appearance of the season – seemingly unperturbed by the Venezuelan’s attempt. But, at the last moment, the ball dropped out of the air quickly, clipping the crossbar before bouncing out of play – much to the United ‘keeper’s relief.
But, with Jacob Murphy, Ayoze Pérez and Ritchie all looking lively, the Magpies continued to pose a threat going forward. Midway through the first half, the Scottish winger met DeAndre Yedlin’s short free kick just outside the Baggies’ penalty area, and saw the ball fly just wide of the near post.
West Brom perked up as the interval drew closer, however, with Robson-Kanu threatening twice in quick succession either side of the 40th minute. The Welshman called Darlow into action with a close-range header, and then steered a low Rondon cross wide of the near post after finding a pocket of space.
United failed to heed the warning signs, though, and for the third game in succession, they conceded just seconds before the break. Kieran Gibbs gathered Jonny Evans’ ball deep on the left flank before swinging in a cross, which Robson-Kanu – under little pressure – headed home.
Mikel Merino brought a fine stop out of Ben Foster early into the second half, having connected beautifully with a loose ball 20 yards out. But, just two minutes later, it went from bad to worse for Newcastle, as Matt Phillips’ driven cross evaded everyone but Field, who was on hand to find the net at the back post.
United needed to respond quickly, and – fortunately – they did just that. Just before the hour-mark, they won two quick-fire corners on the right, the first of which was scrambled away. Clark, however, rose high to plant home the second, giving the Magpies a timely boost.
After surviving a scare – Robson-Kanu only able to shoot tamely at Darlow after being put through by Jake Livermore – they attacked with renewed purpose in the following exchanges, Ritchie nodding wide from a Merino ball, before Pérez saw a first-time strike gathered by Foster.
And, with 82 minutes on the clock, Rafa Benítez’s side restored parity. Substitute James McClean’s trip on Yedlin gave Ritchie the chance to swing in a free kick from the very edge of the Albion penalty area, and Rondon – six yards out – inadvertently hooked the ball beyond Foster.
There were crosses delivered at both ends as the end drew near, but 2-2 was how it finished, the Magpies remaining three points better off than Albion in the table.
