Newcastle take on Brentford in the Carabao cup quarter-final and Bruce named a decent starting lineup with Darlow keeping his place despite Dubravka appearing to be back in training finally. Yedlin also appears to have made his way back into the team in the absence of Javier Manquillo. In the centre half position was Hayden and Clark. Lewis completed the left-back position. Murphy started on the right with Fraser on the left side of the midfield. Shelvey and Sean Longstaff staying in the centre midfield. Miguel Almiron Partnered Callum Wilson in attack.
The mags looked quite sharp in the first half. They played with a lot of energy. Wilson had the first opportunity when he broke clear into the box and shot the ball high into the near top corner forcing a good save from the Brentford shot stopper. In the 22nd minute Ghoddos had a shot that hit Darlows crossbar which should have gone in if it wasn't for a miskick into the ground, chipping the ball too high. Another good chance for Brentford came in the 26th minute when Pinnock played a good ball in for Canos who had a free header at the far post and headed it wide of the mark.
Thirty-five minutes in Ryan Fraser had a good chance when Shelvey picked him out with a high ball, Fraser took the ball on his chest and hit a powerful half volley unfortunately straight above the keepers head making the save rather comfortable.
Just before halftime Wilson had a great opportunity to put the mags ahead when he found himself in on goal, Wilson rounded the keeper but was forced wide, losing the option for a shot, Wilson passed to Fraser who managed to get his shot away but unfortunately it was blocked and the chance passed them by.
Onto the second half and in the 55th minute Brentford had a shout for a penalty when Fosu dribbled the ball to the byline and drilled in a cross which Hayden blocked with his knee deflecting onto his hand. Maybe a month ago that may have been given but this time the referee waved the claim away.
In the 65th minute Gayle and Joelinton replaced Fraser and Almiron to try and take the chances in on goal. But a minute later it was Brentford who found themselves ahead when Canos managed to flick the ball into the path of Da Silva who fired it in for the home side. Canos had a lot of work to do to play the pass but Yedlin and Hayden made it easy for him as they seemingly just stood there and let the attack unfold. 1-0 to Brentford.
Two minutes later in the 68th minute Joelinton played the ball over to Callum Wilson who had his shot deflected and went wide. Then in the 69th minute Ivan Tony came on to replace Canos to feature against his former employers.
Darlow made a fantastic save in the 75th minute when Pinnock flicked the ball on from a long throw in and found Norgaard who was left unchallenged at the far post. Luckily Darlow was on hand to keep United in the game
The Final Substitution for Bruces men came in the 79th minute when Andy Carroll came on for Jamal Lewis to become the fourth striker on the pitch for the Toon. And in the 85th minute Carroll had a pop from 25 yards but it flew high over the bar.
As time was quickly running out for United Carroll, Wilson, Gayle and Joelinton were battling for an equilizer but just before the Final whistle it was Ivan Tony who had a good chance to put Brentford even further ahead when he wriggled from the defense and got a shot away low and hard but Darlow again was equal to it. Out the ball went for a corner and Brentfords attackers kept the ball to waste time.
Full time Brentford 1-0 Newcastle United.
Does this loss spell the end for Steve Bruce here at Newcastle. In one of my previous articles I suggested that maybe Bruce had to see victory against both West London teams Fulham and Brentford. Bruce failed to beat either of them and now to quote another article of mine, you'd have to assume that Bruce is now on borrowed time.
By Sam West
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