Newcastle went three points clear at the top of English soccer’s second division Championship with a 2-2 draw at home to fellow promotion candidates West Bromwich Albion at St James’ Park on Monday.
The Magpies twice had to come from behind against West Brom, with striker Peter Lovenkrands, who had flown back from Denmark after compassionate leave following the death of his father, scoring Newcastle’s second goal.
“It was a bit surreal,” Lovenkrands told Sky Sports. “There’s still a bit of emotion now when I think about it. I was just so pleased to get a goal for my dad. It means a lot.”
Asked if it had been a difficult decision for him to play, the former Rangers forward replied: “It was, very. But my dad was a very big football fan and he would have wanted me to do this. I didn’t want to let him down.”
Both Newcastle and West Brom are looking to get back into the Premiership and the draw saw the third-placed Baggies move six points in front of Swansea, who are fourth.
However, only the top two teams at the end of the season are guaranteed promotion to English football’s top flight, with the next four heading into the playoffs to determine the third and final side to go up.
No visiting side have enjoyed victory at St James’ Park this season, but the Baggies made their intentions clear when Jonas Olsson fired them into a 13th minute lead.
Newcastle responded 13 minutes later with Danny Guthrie’s free-kick only for Roman Bednar to put West Brom back in front seconds after the beginning of the second-half.
However, Lovenkrands — who scored a hat-trick in their FA Cup victory over Plymouth last Wednesday — drew Newcastle level for the second time in the match with a 54th minute header.
Ishmael Miller could have won the game for West Brom late on but somehow, with the goal at his mercy, hit the post from a few yards out.
Newcastle though also had chances to take all three points with Baggies keeper former England international Scott Carson saving well from Ryan Taylor’s free-kick.
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