Keith Downing praised the patience of his Albion side as the caretaker manager recorded his first win in charge – and the Baggies’ first since the start of November.
Hotshot striker Saido Berahino continued to enhance his reputation with an 87th minute penalty after Tim Krul had felled fellow substitute Matej Vydra.
Earlier, Magpies defender Matheiu Debuchy was shown a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Claudio Yacob to give Albion a man’s advantage for the final 30 minutes.
Albion pressed and pressed for a winner with Liam Ridgewell missing the host’s best chance when he somehow missed an open goal from only a couple of yards out.
But 20-year-old Berahino kept his cool from the spot with only three minutes remaining to give Albion a much needed three points.
“We made some positive changes, which I’ve been determined to do since I’ve had the helm," said the temporary head coach.
“Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t.
“On the sending-off - it happens; it’s an emotional game.
“He jumped in and it was the correct decision.
“It helped us.
“Having said that, the game went on and we couldn’t find the opening.
“It started getting a little bit tense but we kept our nerve and everyone kept moving the ball and the pass that Chris Brunt produced for the opening was really important.
“We showed a lot of patience.
“It would have been easy to get carried away and anxious because it’s been a long time since we won.”
Do you think Berahino deserves to start the next game after his penalty against Newcastle? Have your say here at Baggies Banter.