It is one thing knowing about it, another to prevent it.

Chris Hughton has not spent any extra-time with his Albion players in training this week, trying to comabt the danger posed by Newcastle from set pieces.

He is, nevertheless, acutely aware of the reason that tomorrow's visitors are five points clear of his side in the embryonic Premier League table, rather than one.

Central defender Jamaal Lascelles (below) headed Newcastle to narrow victories from corners in each of their last two games, away to Swansea and last Saturday at home to Stoke.

The Argus: The same player nodded in a free-kick delivered by dead ball expert Matt Ritchie in Albion's 2-0 defeat at Newcastle early last season. The warning signals are flashing.

They were for Stoke but it made no difference. Erik Pieters, their Dutch defender, revealed they had been watching videos, yet they still conceded in identical fashion to Swansea.

Hughton told The Argus: "They (Newcastle) have won two games, against Swansea and Stoke, both from a set play which has taken them from five points from three games to nine.

"No we haven't (done any extra work), but we are very conscious that they have somebody that at this moment has been very good.

"We also learned that last season with him scoring against us from a wide free kick as well. So we are very conscious of his qualities."

The significance of set pieces in the Premier League is highlighted by data which has only been available for the past eight seasons.

Champions Chelsea scored 13.5 per cent of their goals last season via this route, the fifth-highest over the period.

West Brom's 17.86 per cent figure last season is the highest of all. Swansea also made it into the eight-season top ten with 12.59 per cent. As Newcastle have demonstrated, in matches of fine margins it can make all the difference.

Hughton acknowledged: "They are hugely important, but I think they always have been. There are always going to be some clubs that are more profilic, and some individuals, that are going to be more prolific than others. They are certainly a good weapon."

Harry Maguire headed in Leicester's second goal from a corner in Albion's opening away game.

The Seagulls have yet to profit themselves, although Shane Duffy (below left) especially has come close on numerous occasions already, including the last game at Bournemouth.

The Argus: Lascelles believes it is easier to score from set pieces in the Premier League. He said: "I don't think I've scored two so early on, but Matt Ritchie's delivery is just so good.

"In the Premier League, it's a little bit different because in the Championships it's more of a wrestling match in the box.

"Players will get hold of you and they're big, strong boys and they defend set pieces well. In the Premier League, no disrespect to teams, when they mark zonal you can get a running jump."

Albion's recent Championship experience and Hughton's preference for man-to-man marking could help them avoid the same fate as Stoke and Swansea.

"Generally I've tended to go man-for-man, but that doesn't mean that I always would," Hughton said.

"And the reason why coaches will change is that you might go man-for-man but end up conceding a lot of goals and decide to change to zonal.

"There isn't a right or wrong, you just have to implement it the best way that you can."

Whether zonal or man-to-man, for Hughton, opposite number Rafa Benitez and the rest, no amount of preparation can cater for a loss of concentration at the crucial moment when the ball goes into the box from a corner or free-kick.