In scenes reminiscent of two years ago when the Ivory Coast international had a 'goal' chalked off in a defeat to Manchester City, the midfielder's celebrations were cut-shot as his long range effort found the net after deceiving Foster, only for referee Lee Mason to rule Mitrovic was interfering with play as the forward returned from an offside position directly in front of the goalkeeper.
Newcastle's attacking stats
Newcastle's sense of injustice quickly dissipated as Jonjo Shelvey's perfectly weighted pass met the run of Mitrovic, who was played onside by Gareth McAuley, to slide the ball past the advancing Foster from the edge of the area for the Serbian's fifth goal of the season after 32 minutes.
Albion remain the division's lowest scorers barring their West Midlands neighbours Villa, and on this evidence, it was easy to see why. Darly Janmaat covered well to block their best chance shortly before half-time from James McClean's close range effort following a Craig Gardner cross, an effort which met with ironic cheers from their travelling support.
Saido Berahino, subject of a failed £21 million bid by the hosts last month, and Alex Pritchard for his debut on loan from Tottenham, both failed to make an impression as second-half substitutes as Newcastle posted a first Premier League clean sheet in 10 attempts.
West Brom's attacking stats
McClaren's side who created the better openings after the break, Townsend hitting the foot of a post from the edge of the area after creating space for himself on an impressive home debut. Jonas Olsson blocked Moussa Sissoko's close-range shot and Gini Wijnaldum should have done better when heading over from a Townsend cross as the decisive second goal failed to materialise.
Given West Brom's paucity in attack, the misses failed to prove costly, although, the hosts were almost caught on the counter attack in stoppage time, Steven Taylor intervening to prevent Salomon Rondon's pass finding Berahino with the goal at his mercy.
It leaves McClaren's side temporarily at least out of the bottom three, but still with much to do to secure their top flight future, the same of which can be said of Albion.
- Telegraph