1,700 passionate Newcastle United fans made the 604 mile round trip down to the capital as the Magpies looked to extend their six match unbeaten run in the Premier League. The last time they had a longer unbeaten run in the league was between May to November 2011 in a streak that lasted eleven matches.
Eddie Howe named an unchanged side from last weekends draw against West Ham, Allan Saint-Maximin didn’t travel as he recovers from his calf injury. As for the hosts, Ivan Toney and Christian Eriksen took their places on the bench.
Newcastle got the game underway and neither side found their stride in the opening ten minutes and struggled to keep hold of the ball for significant periods of time. The hosts had a man sent off with just thirteen minutes on the clock when Josh Dasilva received his marching orders from Mike Dean after a VAR review, the Brentford player hacking down Matt Targett just outside the penalty area. Jonjo Shelvey fired the resulting free kick straight into the keepers arms. Chris Wood had a chance to score his first goal for the Magpies and fire them into the lead but his strike from a Ryan Fraser cross was well saved by David Raya. 30 minutes into the game, Chris Wood had another chance to fire the visiting side into the lead but once more Raya had to be on hand to keep it level. Joelinton got the breakthrough goal after 33 minutes, the Brazilian sensation with a fine header inside the box after Ryan Fraser whipped a lovely cross in. Newcastle doubled their advantage just before half time when Fabian Schar pressed forward on the counter and released Joe Willock who composed himself and cooly slotted past Raya. The half time whistle blew and Newcastle deserved their lead at the break. It could have easily been three or four.
The home side got the second half underway and Fabian Schar had a chance to make it 3-0 just two minutes after the restart when he got his head on the end of a Matt Targett cross but he couldn’t keep it down. The Bees had a free kick in a dangerous area but Norgaard couldn’t keep his header down from Mbeumo’s delivery. Just after the 50th minute mark, all four corners of the stadium took to their feet in applause as Christian Eriksen makes his way onto the pitch for the first time since suffering his Cardiac Arrest at Euro 2020. Norgaard unleaded an effort from 25yards out but it flew over the bar. Ivan Toney was brought on for Brentford and Bruno Guimaraes replaced Jacob Murphy. Brentford Keeper David Raya needed to be on point once more as he made saves from Matt Target and Bruno Guimaraes. The visiting side continued to push for a third goal as the game reached its closing stages, Martin Dubravka was called into action in the 93rd minute as he pushed Vitaly Janelt’s effort over the bar. The resulting corner came to nothing and the final whistle is blown.
Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: Seven games unbeaten for Eddie Howe’s Magpies. Yes this is happening! An all round solid performance. Joelinton once more showing just how much of an important player he is for the side, his goal to open the scoring was brilliantly taken and his overall performance makes him my Man of the Match. Joe Willock is the player he was last season once more, his performances over the past few weeks continue to rise and Ryan Fraser worked his socks off once more. Eddie Howe has got the players fighting and working for the shirt, something that has been absent for a long time. Onwards and Upwards.
What’s Next? Newcastle host Brighton on Saturday 5th March whilst Brentford travel to Norwich on the same day. Both games KO at 3pm.
Brentford Line Up: D Raya, E Pinnock, K Ajer (71, S Canos), P Jansson, R Henry, M Jensen (51, C Eriksen), C Norgaard, V Janelt, J Dasilva, Y Wissa (61, I Toney), B Mbeumo.
Brentford Bench: J Lossl, Zanka, M Roerslev, F Onyeka, C Eriksen, S Baptiste, S Canos, S Ghoddos, I Toney.
Newcastle United Line Up: M Dubravka, M Targett, D Burn, F Schar, E Krafth, Joelinton, J Willock (82, J Lascelles), J Shelvey, R Fraser (89, M Almiron), C Wood, J Murphy (63, B Guimaraes).
Newcastle United Bench: K Darlow, P Dummett, J Lascelles, F Fernandez, J Manquillo, S Longstaff, B Guimaraes, M Almiron, D Gayle.
Match Officials: Mike Dean (Referee), Eddie Smart & Mark Scholes (Assistant’s), Andy Madley (Fourth Official), Darren England (VAR), Derek Eaton (Assistant VAR).
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