Good afternoon, and happy New Year! It's around an hour until Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion get their match underway at The Hawthorns, with both keen to keep up with the teams above them in the table. The team news is already out, so let's take a look at the sides...

WEST BROM XI: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Yacob, Amalifitano, Sessegnon, Brunt, Anelka

NEWCASTLE XI: Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, Cabaye, Tiote, Sissoko, Remy, Shola Ameobi, Gouffran

WEST BROM SUBSTITUTES: Myhill, Vydra, Berahino, Gera, Morrison, Long, Lugano

NEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTES: Elliot, Haidara, Yanga-Mbiwa, Taylor, Anita, Ben Arfa, Cisse

The home side have made three changes to the team that played out an epic 3-3 draw with West Ham at the weekend, bringing in Sessegnon, Yacob and Amalifitano, while Berahino, Lugano and Morrison all drop to the bench.

Nicolas Anelka keeps his place up front after scoring a brace against West Ham. The striker courted controversy in by performing a gesture which some believe to have anti-Semitic connotations after scoring the first of those two goals. The Frenchman has denied that he meant it in a racist manner, claiming that he was offering support to the creator of the gesture, who is a friend of his. However, the FA is looking into it, and he could be facing a ban.

There's just the one change for the visitors, who were narrowly beaten by Arsenal in there last outing. Shola Ameobi comes back into the side in place of Vurnon Anita.

There was some sad news from West Brom earlier today, as they announced that club president and former chairman John Silk has died at the age of 89. Players and fans will take part in a minute's applause ahead of kickoff.

The Baggies will probably be quite happy to see the back of December. As fell as the Anelka controversy, there was the sacking at manager Steve Clarke. Caretaker Keith Downing remains in charge for this game, but the club are expected to be appointing a permanent boss soon.

If you missed it yesterday, Sports Mole published our mid-season reports for the Premier League sides. You can catch up on West Brom's campaign so far here, and read about Newcastle's start to the season here.

Newcastle have gotten the better of today's opponents in the majority of their recent meetings. In the reverse fixture this season, which took place just over a month ago, the Magpies claimed a 2-1 win. West Brom have claimed just a point in the last four meetings between the two sides.

The two teams head into this game in contrasting form. Newcastle have lost just once in their last five outings, while West Brom have gone nine without a win. Only West Ham have been in worse form than the Baggies lately, according to our form table

Ahead of today's match, Alan Pardew told reports: "I feel like I am standing on top of the world at the moment compared to where I was last year. You have to have faith in your ability and faith in the work that you do."

Despite Saido Berahino dropping to the bench today, caretaker boss Downing admits that he has been impressed by the striker, telling reports: "I'm really pleased. I started here as a youth coach so I know Saido well, I've seen his progression through the age groups and he's a talent, which you've seen against West Ham. He's maturing, he's still got a lot to learn, but he's working with good players around him, learning every day. He just has to deal with the success."

WEATHER UPDATE! Given that the weather has been affecting games around the country this afternoon, I thought it would be a good idea to have a look at the forecast for the Hawthorns this afternoon. Fortunately, it looks like West Bromwich is avoiding the worst of the rain at the moment, with light showers at the ground, although the rain is forecast to get heavier later.

If results go their way today, Newcastle can move up to sixth in the table, while West Brom could jump up to 11th if they can win by three clear goals.

PREDICTION! With the players due onto the pitch shortly it's time for a prediction. West Brom's form really hasn't been great recently, while Newcastle will be looking to put Saturday's defeat to Arsenal behind them. I can't see the home side stopping the Magpies today, so I'm going for a 2-1 away win.

The players are on the pitch and the pre-match handshakes are taking place. We should be underway at the Hawthorn in just a couple of minutes, following the minute's applause for John Silk.

Newcastle get the match underway.

It's a positive start by the visitors as Shola Ameobi flicks the ball on from midfield for Loic Remy, but the striker loses out on the edge of the box. It's quite an atmosphere in the Hawthorn, the home crowd are really getting behind their players as they look for their first win in 10.

Amalifitano steals the ball away for West Brom in midfield and wins a corner level with the penalty area, but Sessegnon is forced back. The ball is whipped back in for Amalfitano, but he can't control it in time, and it goes out for a Newcastle throw in. From the throw, the visitors race down the other end, and once again Ameobi tried to set up Remy, but the striker is offside.

CHANCE! Santon makes a superb run down the wing before crossing in for Remy. The French international doesn't reach it in time, but Sissoko manages to pick it up. However, his shot lacks power, and it easily gathered by Foster. This has been a really open start to the match.

Newcastle win a free kick, which Brunt thumps forward looking for Anelka, but Tim Krul decides to come off his line and punch it away, making sure that the striker doesn't get a chance to make it three in his last two games.

After a fairly high-tempo opening spell, Newcastle are just looking to slow the pace down a little, particularly as the majority of these players faced Arsenal at the weekend. Williamson and Coloccini pass it around the back.

CHANCE! Amalifitano races towards the Newcastle area after snatching the ball away from the visitors in midfield. Initially, he looks to cross to Anelka, but the striker is being closely marked, so he goes for goal himself with a curling effort from out wide, but it's a comfortable catch for Krul.

An errors from Gouffran unleashes Sessegnon, who pays his way through midfield before pulling it back for Amalifitano, who has really been testing the Newcastle back four so far. However, on this occasion, he makes the wrong decision and takes the shot himself from range rather than playing Anelka in, and his finish is well wide of the target.

After clearing West Brom's first corner of the game, Newcastle quickly force one of their own at the other end. Remy tries to tee one up from the edge of the area, but Anelka is back to help out to defence and manages to block his compatriot's effort. Incidentally, the light rain that was coming down before kickoff has got much heavier since the game got underway.

Tiote, Cabaye and Santon work together on the edge of the box as they look for a way to get the ball into the West Brom box. In the end, Santon tries a high ball, but Olsson is able to make the clearance.

In the opening 20 minutes, both sides have played really positive football and look keen to get forward when they get the chance, but the finishing touch has been lacking, and that won't be helped by the worsening weather conditions.

There's a horrible miscommunication between Billy Jones and Ben Foster, and the goalkeeper comes out to punch the ball away from Gouffran, but Jones reaches it first and heads it away, only to take a solid yet accidental right-hook from Foster. After a couple of minutes on the ground, Jones is helped to the sideline with an ice pack on his eye. Foster seems to be laughing about the incident, but Jones doesn't seem too amused!

Gouffran flicks the ball in towards Remy, but West Brom, who still have Jones on the sideline receiving treatment, put it behind for a corner. It looks like Jones is being treated for a cut above his eyebrow, so he should be coming back on shortly.

CHANCE! Williamson wins a header on the edge of the box, nodding it down to Cabaye, who has to rush his shot with Olsson closing in, and he slices his effort just wide. Newcastle are suddenly looking much the stronger of the two sides, but Jones is now back on for the Baggies.

CHANCE! West Brom head on the counter-attack, winning a corner of their own. Amalifitano whips it in to Olsson, who climbs high for the header, but it drifts inches wide. That's probably to closest either side have come to a goal so far.

CHANCE! West Brom really have responded well to Newcastle strong spell as they quickly have another chance at the Newcastle goal. This time, Brunt has a go from close range, but also heads wide.

Gouffran breaks from the back for Newcastle and has Remy, Sissoko and Ameobi ahead of him, but somehow manages to pass it to Olsson, wasting what could have been a dangerous opportunity.

The match just seems to have hit a bit of a quiet spell at the moment, with both teams just seeming happy to keep possession for the time being. While both sides have had good chances so far, it's difficult to say whether either deserve to be ahead. A draw certainly feels about right from what we've seen so far.

Newcastle win a free kick near the half way line, which Tim Krul comes out to take. The keeper launches it deep into the penalty area looking for Ameobi, but the striker is brought down on the edge of the box by Anelka, giving the visitors a free kick in a dangerous position, but the wall does its work, blocking Cabaye's strike.

Olsson tries to launch West Brom on the counter, but his progress is halted in midfield. Cabaye wins it back for Newcastle and finds Remy, but the Frenchman can't keep control of up it.

CHANCE! Anelka misses an absolute sitter on the cusp of half time. Amalifitano shows some flashy footwork out wide in the box before crossing for the striker, but he slices the shot well high of the crossbar from point-blank range.

It looks like Alan Pardew could be getting ready to make a change, as the manager appears to be giving instructions to Hatem Ben Arfa. We may be seeing him early in the second half!

Well it was an entertaining but goalless first half between Newcastle and West Brom at the Hawthorns. Both sides had a few good chances, the best of which fell with Jonas Olsson for the home side.

Let's take a look at the stats from the first half. Newcastle dominated the possession with 66%, but West Brom just edged the chances, with six shots to Newcastle's five, including one on target.

It looked like Pardew was getting ready to change his side around early in the second half. Gouffran could be the man to make way if Ben Arfa does come off the bench, as he has made a couple of errors in the first half. West Brom will no doubt be keeping an eye on Billy Jones, after he took an accidental punch to the face from his own goalkeeper.

As things stand, Newcastle would temporarily jump above Tottenham, who play later, into seventh, while West Brom would stay 15th.

The players are heading back out ready for the second half.

SUBS! Hatem Ben Arfa will indeed come on in place of Gouffran for Newcastle, while Jones has also had to go off, with Saido Berahino coming on in a more attacking West Brom lineup.

West Brom get the second half underway.

Berahinho's introduction seems to be helping West Brom apply pressure inside the Newcastle half more quickly, but they're yet to create a clear-cut chance to the restart.

Berahino picks up the ball from Amalifitano but can't play his way into the box, but it's swiftly cleared by the West Brom defence. Cabaye tries to apply pressure at the other end, but runs out of room while looking to get a cross in.

CHANCE! It's a rare on-target strike from Cheick Tiote as he unleashes a volley from 20 yards out, but slightly mis-hits it, allowing Foster to make the save for the home side.

Berahino is really getting into his stride now as he bursts into the Newcastle box before attempting a strike, but it's blocked by Williamson.

CHANCE Newcastle quickly force a chance at the other end, but Loic Remy's finish from an Ameobi cross is both high and wide.

It's end-to-end stuff at the moment as Amalifitano wins a corner at the other end. Debuchy clears it, but it doesn't matter, as the West Brom winger's delivery went behind the goal line before falling into the penalty area.

RED CARD! It's a straight red for Debuchy for a wild two-footed challenge on Yacob. It's a crazy decision by the defender, there was no way that was ever going to end in anything but a sending-off.

CHANCE! Berahino lines up the free kick, but he doesn't catch it quite right, and Krul watches it all the way before it goes wide. Meanwhile, it looks like Newcastle are preparing a double change.

SUB! The visitors make their first change, bringing on Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa for Fabricio Coloccini.

Berahino tees the ball up for Mulumbu, but he and Anelka are both offside as the striker plays the ball in, but Krul manages to stop his shot anyway.

West Brom are really looking to make their numerical advantage count at the moment, but they're rushing in front of goal, giving Tim Krul a series of easy saves in quick succession. Meanwhile, there's more concern for Newcastle as Amalifitano appears to catch Cayabe in the back of the head, leaving the Magpies playmaker in quite some pain. They'll be hoping he can carry on, as they only have one change left.

It looks like Cabaye has managed to shake the knock off, and he's immediately involved, trying to set up Ameobi, but Amalifitano wins it back at sets up Anelka, who returns it to the winger, but his cross it claimed by Krul. There's yet another injury concern for the visitors now as Tiote is left on the tuft after trying to block the cross.

West Brom are peppering the Newcastle box at the moment but just can't find a way past Tim Krul. Anelka, Berahino and Sessegnon are all in the area, but the Dutch keeper still manager to hold on. After a Remy breaks comes to nothing, Berahino is swiftly back on the attack, but Krul makes yet another good stop to stop the finish squeezing inside the near post.

SUB! Newcastle make their final change, and despite Cabaye and Tiote both having had the trainer out in the last few minutes, it's Ameobi who heads off for Haidara.

SUB! The home side make their second change, bringing on Matej Vydra for Stephane Sessegnon, who has had a limited impact this afternoon.

While West Brom are dominating possession and getting the majority of the changes at the moment, it still feels like Newcastle will cause problems every time they get a break. Remy looks to push down the other end but is brought down by Mulumbu, but the visitors can't make the most of the free kick.

CHANCE! How are West Brom not ahead?! Berahino makes a superb run to slot the ball in for Liam Ridgewell, but he somehow manages to pull the ball wide from less than two yards out. That was surely easier to score than miss!

What a nightmare for Tim Krul! The keeper comes off his line to try to stop Vydra, but completely mistimes his challenge, and takes the striker's legs out from under him, giving the home side a penalty. Berahino steps up to take it, and smashes it into the back of the net. Krul might be a little lucky to still be on the pitch, as he was the last man, but West Brom probably won't care about that now.

SUB! It's a final change for the hosts as Anelka makes way for Zoltan Gera.

West Brom try to keep the ball in midfield as they look to run the clock down, but Santon wins it back for Newcastle as they try to force a late equaliser. They'll have four minutes of stoppage time to do it in.

CHANCE! The ball is crossed in for Remy, for Foster decisively comes out to collect it before the striker manages to hit it.

The visitors win a late corner, which even Tim Krul comes up for, but he doesn't make a difference, as West Brom get the ball away.

CHANCE! Ben Arfa applies some late pressure but can't get the ball to Remy. West Brom can only clear as far as Cabaye, but his shot is saved by Foster, and that should be about it.

Well that was an enthralling finish as Newcastle threw everything at West Brom in the dying moments of the game, but could not find the back of the net late on.

Debuchy's red card really turned the match, allowing the home side to dominate the game and eventually force a mistake from Tim Krul, who had been excellent in the Newcastle goal until conceding the penalty.

The result moves West Brom up to 14th in the Premier League table and four points clear of the drop zone. It also gives Keith Downing his first win since taking charge of the side last month.

That's all from The Hawthorns this afternoon, but stick around for results and reaction from this and all of today's Premier League matches, as well as live coverage of the evening kickoff between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.