The Magpies came back from a goal behind to beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday afternoon as they extended their winning run to 5 games. Former Newcastle United youngster Ivan Toney grabbing the opener before half time for the hosts then an own goal by Brentford keeper David Raya and a 61st minute strike by Alexander Isak completed the turnaround.
There was three changes made to the Brentford side that lost at Manchester United in the week. Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva and Kevin Schade returning to the starting line up in place of Mads Roerslev, Mikkel Damsgaard and Bryan Mbeumo dropping to the bench. Eddie Howe made two changes to his side that battered West Ham. Alexander Isak returned to the starting lineup in place of Callum Wilson who had to make do with a spot on the bench. The absence of Allan Saint-Maximin meant that Joe Willock took his place in the starting eleven.
Brentford started the game the better side between the two and had the ball in the back of the net with less than ten minutes on the clock. Toney pounced on a rebound following a save from Pope but it was chalked off as the former Magpie had just strayed offside. Halfway through the first half, Toney wanted a penalty after being held by Burn in the penalty area but his appeals were waved away. A minute later the hosts got their wish when Botman clattered into Schade in the box, Toney stepped up but he was denied by Pope who dove the right way. Just before half time, the Bees were awarded another penalty after a long VAR review which ended in the referee awarding the spot kick after being referred to the pitch-side monitor. Toney made no mistake and put it past Pope to give the hosts the lead. Half Time Brentford 1 Newcastle United 0.
The visitors levelled the scoring ten minutes after the restart and it was thanks to Joelinton. Trippier found the Brazilian in the box who cut inside past Mee and fired at goal which deflected off Raya into the back of the net. Six minutes later the Magpies took the lead through Isak. Wilson laid it off to his team-mate who rocketed one into the top corner leaving Raya no chance. Wilson thought he had made it three-one less than five minutes later but VAR overturned it and judged a Newcastle player to have handled the ball in the build up to the goal. Pope was forced into making a smart save as the final ten minutes approached when Trippier conceded a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Wilson fired wide in the final moments of injury time but the Magpies held on to seal the win. Full Time Brentford 1 Newcastle United 2.
Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: Considering we weren’t at the races for the first half, I will take that result any day. Ivan Toney shouldn’t have been on the pitch, I thought any player that was found breaching the rules about betting/gambling would be banned for a significant amount of time…obviously not. Anyway, back to the result. Alexander Isak just can’t stop scoring at the moment can he! He’s showing why we paid a club record transfer fee for him. The Magpies can also thank Nick Pope for helping them secure the three points not just wish the penalty save in the first half but also some key stops in the second period and towards the end of it. Eddie Howe’s men are now back into third place and three points closer to securing a European place for next season. See you next week.
What’s Next? Brentford travel to Molineux as they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 15th April in a traditional 3pm KO. The Magpies also play on Saturday 15th April, they are away to Aston Villa in a 12:30pm KO live on BT Sports.
Brentford Line Up: D Raya, A Hickey (74, B Mbuemo), R Henry, E Pinnock, B Mee (82, Y Wissa), P Jansson © (16, Zanka) , C Norgaard (81, V Janelt), M Jensen, J Dasilva (74, S Baptiste), K Schade, I Toney.
Brentford Bench: T Strakosha, Zanka, M Roerslev, Y Wissa, B Mbuemo, M Damsgaard, S Baptiste, V Janelt, S Ghoddos.
Newcastle United Line Up: N Pope, K Trippier ©, S Botman, F Schar, D Burn, J Willock (87, E Anderson), S Longstaff (45, C Wilson), B Guimaraes, Joelinton, A Isak (87, J Lascelles), J Murphy (45, A Gordon, 95, M Ritchie).
Newcastle United Bench: M Dubravka, P Dummett, J Lascelles, M Targett, J Manquillo, M Ritchie, E Anderson, A Gordon, C Wilson.
Match Officials: Chris Kavanagh (Referee), Wade Smith & Natalie Aspinall (Assistant’s), Steve Martin( Fourth Official), Darren England (VAR), Derek Eaton (Assistant VAR).
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