WEST BROM 1 NEWCASTLE UTD 1
WBA: Carson, Zuiverloon, Olsson, Martis, Cech,Koren (Dorrans 73), Mulumbu, Greening, Brunt, Moore,Wood (Cox 81).
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Barnett, Beattie, Reid, Teixeira.
NUFC: Harper (Krul 46), Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor,Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Smith, Nolan, Duff,Ameobi (Ranger 90), Carroll (Barton 75).
Subs Not Used: Xisco, Geremi, LuaLua, Kadar.
Att: 23,502
Dean, as we all know, tends to form vendettas on the field of play. And when 'Spiderman' took a tumble looking for a free-kick, the referee was on his case ... and personally I'd have taken the winger off because the animosity towards him grew by the minute.
He took an elbow to the head, but Dean saw it different ... and I got the feeling the red card was going to be produced before the final whistle for any excuse Dean could muster.
Then came the final minute, 'Spiderman' got in a tussle on the edge of the box and the whistle blew. And didn't you just KNOW the outcome!
A free-kick to Albion, the ball was swung over and that heart-stopping moment as Tim Krul grasps thin air as the ball flashes into the net.
Referee 2 Newcastle United 1 ... and I'd have put money on it!
But no ... Mr Dean resisted jumping up and down in celebration ... and chalked it off!
And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts you lovely man!
On reflection, the Newcastle players provided some brief respite to their off-field troubles as Mike Ashley continues his exile from Toon fixtures (on recommendation from the police, FBI, CSI, etc.).
No, the Toon owner has thrown toy back in the toy box and is now a Manchester United fan. After all, he's from London, so he's decided to follow his local team ... like the other Cockney Mancs.
Centre-back Shelton Martis put Albion ahead shortly before the break, while Damien Duff's second-half strike ensured a much happier return to the West Midlands for the winger compared to May, when his own goal at Villa Park sent the Magpies down.
But Joey Barton's omission from Newcastle's starting XI was the big surprise before kick-off, with the midfielder only named among the substitutes following an alleged training ground bust-up with Hughton.
Gutierrez looked lively, but he still cannot pass the ball. So many chances went begging as he beat the last man then hoofed the ball into open space BEHIND the front-line.
Steve Harper took a kick in the face from Shola Ameobi, (Ameobi's only good connection all game!) and he was replaced in goal by Tim Krul ... who made the most of his moment of glory ... and stole the show.
The substitute stopper immediately proved his worth pulling out a great diving save to deny Robert Koren.
And with the Magpies looking threatening at the other end, Duff finished off a great pass by Kevin Nolan to fire the visitors level in the 55th minute.
Wood should have put Albion back in front two minutes later but he could only blast over after Krul again did well to deny Koren.
The game became stretched as both sides started to show a lack of match fitness associated with the opening day.
The impressive Krul used his feet to deny Moore as the game approached the closing stages, while Nolan headed a great chance over at the other end.
Olsson then dramatically saw his header disallowed in injury time to leave both sides with a share of the spoils.