Matthias Jaissle picked up his first competitive victory as Newcastle head coach on Tuesday night, though it took a late Harvey Barnes brace to see off a spirited West Bromwich Albion side in the Carabao Cup second round.
Just a week after speaking of his frustration at the doubts surrounding his young, transitional squad, Jaissle watched his team battle past a Championship outfit that made life difficult for long stretches at St James' Park. The result sends Newcastle through to the third round, where they will travel to Millwall.
West Brom, unbeaten in their opening two second-tier fixtures under manager James Morrison, took a surprise lead in the 19th minute when Isaac Price curled a 25-yard free-kick around the wall and beyond young Newcastle goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, who may have done better at his near post. The set-piece followed a foul conceded by 18-year-old Sean Steur, who had been drawn into a foul in midfield.
Morrison's fluid 4-4-2 shape troubled the hosts for periods of the first half, with Ousmane Diakité influential in the visitors' midfield and Nick Woltemade kept relatively quiet at the other end.
Newcastle drew level before the break through a combination of their summer arrivals. Steur recovered from his earlier error to drive forward and set up new signing Amar Dedic, whose whipped cross was finished from close range by Bazoumana Touré under pressure from Chris Mepham. It was Touré's first goal for the club since arriving from Hoffenheim as a replacement for Anthony Gordon.
Barnes, introduced at half-time in place of Touré, needed only three minutes to make his mark, pouncing on a loose ball from a corner and converting at the second attempt after his first effort was blocked.
West Brom refused to fade and were awarded a penalty when Lewis Hall handled in the box. Price stepped up to send Jaouen the wrong way and level the scores at 2-2, setting up a tense finish.
But it was Barnes who had the final say, sweeping home another excellent low cross from Dedic to complete his brace and settle the contest in Newcastle's favour before extra time was needed.
Dedic, a £30m signing from Benfica who previously worked with Jaissle at RB Salzburg, was a standout performer, providing the assists for both of Newcastle's second-half goals.