Newcastle began life after Alan Shearer in the same way as their talisman's career had ended as a resounding victory maintained their late charge for Europe.

On the day the 35-year-old Magpies skipper confirmed his career had been brought to a premature conclusion by a knee injury, Nolberto Solano and Shola Ameobi took up the baton to fire their side to a comprehensive win over struggling West Brom.

The Peruvian's 30th-minute strike set the ball rolling and Ameobi's penalty nine minutes later capped an impressive first-half display by the Magpies.

West Brom, who were awful before the break, rallied after it, but were propelled to the brink of relegation by Newcastle's fifth successive league win as Ameobi sealed the victory in injury-time.

That form could yet see them rewarded with European football next season and land caretaker boss Glenn Roeder the job on a permanent basis.

His odds have been dramatically reduced with chairman Freddy Shepherd having been hugely impressed by a revival which has seen his side take 28 points from a possible 39, two more than Graeme Souness managed from 69 before he was sacked in February.

It was perhaps fitting that the game which marked the start of Shearer's retirement also saw 20-year-old midfielder Matty Pattison, who has already had to fight his way back from two serious knee injuries, make his first senior start.

Shearer's status on Tyneside is such that, with vital Barclays Premiership points and a European place up for grabs, the Geordie nation turned up to salute their hero for the last decade.

There is little doubt the former England striker will be missed and missed badly, but in his absence for the first time since confirming his premature retirement, there were other men ready to step up and take over his mantle.

Shearer was joined on the sidelines by Michael Owen, Scott Parker, Emre, Steven Taylor and, with a hamstring injury which seems certain to end his season and his World Cup hopes, Kieron Dyer, six men whose names would be among the first on the team-sheet.

Despite Newcastle's relative lack of strength, they overwhelmed the visitors before the break.

It was Michael Chopra, who scored his first top-flight goal for the club at Sunderland on Monday, who created the first, cutting in from the left to fire in a low drive which defender Neil Clement could only block to Solano.

The Peruvian, who had earlier rattled Tomasz Kuszczak's crossbar with a dipping shot, steered the rebound into the empty net to give his side a deserved lead.

Clement had enjoyed a slice of good fortune on 27 minutes when he was only booked for a cynical trip on Amady Faye as he raced in on goal, but his luck ran out as the half wore on.

There were 39 minutes gone when he pushed Chopra as the pair challenged for a through-ball and, although the initial offence appeared to take place outside the box, referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot after glancing towards his assistant.

Solano has taken penalties before when Shearer has been missing, but Ameobi grabbed the ball and hammered it low to Kuszczak's right to make it 2-0.

Robson opted for radical change at the break, withdrawing Diomansy Kamara, Kevin Campbell and former Magpie Steve Watson and sending on Nathan Ellington, Junichi Inamoto and Kanu.

With Ellington and Kanu teaming up in attack, West Brom had a more positive shape and both Nigel Quashie and Inamoto fired in long-range efforts within the opening five minutes of the half.

A somewhat lethargic Newcastle were forced to endure an uncomfortable spell, and skipper Shay Given was relieved to see a 57th-minute Zoltan Gera header fly wide after he met Jonathan Greening's near-post corner.

The Magpies were unable to reproduce the flowing football they had served up before the break as they scrapped their way through an ugly spell but, as West Brom faded again, they stepped up a gear.

Ameobi saw a 72nd-minute shot blocked by Curtis Davies, but Shearer's brief emergence from the dug-out three minutes later sparked a crowd of 52,272 into full voice.

Chopra was unable to direct Ameobi's 80th-minute cross towards goal, but the home fans were already celebrating and gave Pattison a warm ovation when he was replaced by Lee Clark seconds later.

But it was left to Ameobi to further his claims on the now vacant number nine shirt with a third in injury-time as an emotional day came to a satisfactory end.

Teams:

Newcastle Given, Carr, Moore, Bramble, Babayaro, Solano, Faye,Pattison (Clark 80), N'Zogbia, Ameobi, Chopra.

Subs Not Used: Harper, Elliott, Boumsong, Luque.

Goals: Solano 30, Ameobi 40 pen, 90.

West Brom Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Clement,Robinson, Gera, Watson (Inamoto 45), Quashie, Greening,Campbell (Kanu 45), Kamara (Ellington 45).

Subs Not Used: Hoult, Carter.

Booked: Clement.

Att: 52,272

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).