West Brom manager Roy Hodgson praises his players for fighting back from three goals down against Newcastle

Roy Hodgson, West Bromwich Albion (Getty Images)

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West Brom manager Roy Hodgson praised his side’s fighting spirit after a Somen Tchoyi hat-trick rescued the Baggies from defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park.

The visitors had been three goals down, through first half goals from Steven Taylor and Peter Lovenkrands and an own goal from Jonas Olsson, which should have seen all three points remain in the North-East.

The Baggies fought back though, and Hodgson credited his side for continuing to play for a result.

“I was disappointed with the 2-0 and was bitterly disappointed to really look down the barrel of a gun when we conceded the own goal,” he told reporters. “All credit to the players, they didn’t give up hope and they took the game to Newcastle and we scored three good goals.”

He continued: “I think with the chances we created were worthy of three goals albeit we had to be careful at the other end because there were chances there for Newcastle.”

“Some 3-3 games are somewhat fortunate 3-3 games, in a sense there’s only been seven or eight shots, but this was a proper 3-3 game as there were lots of opportunities for both teams.”

Hodgson was full of praise for hat-trick hero Tchoyi, who had been on the fringe of the first team under previous manager Roberto Di Matteo.

“When I came in he hardly played, he had a couple of games,” he added. “He started the season late because he had problems getting his work permit so really I inherited a person that had not many games behind him.

“But I also inherited a team where Brunt and Thomas who at the time, were the two regulars in that position with Morrison pushing them for a place with them all playing extremely well.”

“I didn’t really have the necessity I suppose to think about using him. He got his chance against Wolves and played very well that day in spite of a defeat.

“I went back conservatively that last week to Thomas and Brunt, the tried and trusted formation that has got us where we are but today was another opportunity for me to give him another opportunity, and you saw he took it absolutely brilliantly, and no doubt he’ll go on holiday thinking I couldn’t spot a footballer if he bit me on the nose.”

The former Liverpool manager went on to praise everyone at the Hawthorns, saying: “I think the club, the players, the staff and in particularly the fans really deserve a really big pat on the back for lifting us out of the mire and even up to quite an elevated position. If our goal difference was even half reasonable we would have finished in the top half. “

Hodgson also announced he expects Ipswich Town defender Gareth McAuley to sign for the club soon.

He said: “It’s likely that he McAuley will sign, nothing has been concluded as of yet. We’re in discussions with Gareth McAuley and his agent so it’s likely that something will be finalised during the week.

“He’s another centre-half, he’s a Northern Ireland captain, an experienced centre-half that knows British football. We think he’s a player that will be a very valuable addition to our group next year.”

“I think one or two players have been told that we won’t be taking up options on their contract and the others where there is more area of doubt they will be told in the coming week.”