Igor Thiago scored twice as Brentford overcame an early deficit to keep Newcastle United’s Premier League struggles strong in a 3-1 win at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.
Kevin Schade also scored for the Bees, who are looking very good under new boss Keith Andrews. They’ve won four of their last six Premier League matches, outscoring opponents 11-4 in the wins while losing to Crystal Palace and Man City.
Brentford are up to 12th with 16 points, three points off fourth and six clear of the bottom three.
WATCH — Brentford v Newcastle full match replay
Harvey Barnes staked Newcastle to an early lead with an electric effort off a Nick Woltemade flick but that was nearly all the danger generated by the Magpies off their Champions League midweek win over Athletic Bilbao.
Newcastle go into the international break with just 12 points, two points clear of the relegation zone despite top-8 status in the UEFA Champions League.
Brentford’s Keith Andrews the real deal as Eddie Howe’s rotation struggles continue
The Bees knew they were facing a Newcastle team who played at midweek, aren’t often rotated, and have been poor away from St. James’ Park. They were on them from the jump, and have now beaten Manchester United, Liverpool, and Newcastle at home since the end of September. They also took Man City to the limit at the Etihad in a 1-0 loss, ironically failing to overcome an early Erling Haaland goal as only the Norwegian has more Premier League goals than Igor Thiago this season. Their long throw prowess is a nice touch but having Thiago and Kevin Schade almost seamlessly taking the roles of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo is a credit to the club.
Newcastle, on the other hand, are a mess in the Premier League and it’s difficult to look past Eddie Howe’s failure to incorporate his new attack-minded players (and maybe a goalkeeper). Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey are proven Premier League players who aren’t getting a look and Harvey Barnes’ fantastic goal will only fuel the fire for those who wonder about Howe’s lack of minute juggling in Champions League weeks (Nothing new, which makes it more surprising). Ramsey’s error on the first Brentford goal would speak against him, but Newcastle seem to struggle whenever one of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, and Bruno Guimaraes are not on the pitch. Howe’s a fantastic coach but his inability to trust new signings — the terrific Malick Thiaw aside — feels not quite like a fatal flaw but a level just beneath that. (NM)
What’s next?
It will not get easier for Eddie Howe, as Newcastle welcome Man City to St.James’ Park on November 22 and head to Marseille for a Champions League match on the 25th.
Brentford go to Brighton on November 22.
Brentford vs Newcastle final score: 3-1
Harvey Barnes 28', Kevin Schade 57', Igor Thiago pen 78', 90+5'
Brentford vs Newcastle live updates — by Nick Mendola
Igor Thiago goal — Brentford 3-1 Newcastle
A good counter from the Bees, and a desperate, sliding tackle from Newcastle puts Thiago on the doorstep for his brace.
Newcastle on front foot
This is very much Newcastle’s season in a nutshell — controlled all game, they’ve gone down to 10 men and are looking the more likely team to score a goal.
Igor Thiago penalty goal — Brentford 2-1 Newcastle
It’s Igor Thiago on the spot and he fools Ramsdale. His seventh Premier League goal of the season.
Goalkeeper sub plus three others.
Smart gamesmanship from the Magpies, as Nick Pope was injured earlier but not replaced until now.
Mikkel Damsgaard has to wait for Aaron Ramsdale to tape his hands and get ready but also for three other Newcastle subs.
Stats have shown that the longer the wait for a penalty taker, the better the chance of a save or miss.
Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Tonali, and Pope exit for Lewis Hall, Anthony Elanga, and Joe Willock.
Dan Burn red card, Brentford penalty
Ouattara gets his penalty, as Burn had been run rampant by the winger and this time clips the player and the ball in the box.
Mikkel Damsgaard will go to the spot.
Huge penalty shout
Dango Ouattara has been carded for embellishment, but did Dan Burn catch the striker’s ankle in the box?
It would not have been overturned if it was given as a penalty, and it won’t be overturned here. Burn looked like he clipped the attacker.
Kevin Schade goal — Brentford 1-1 Newcastle
Brutal from Nick Pope but the Bees deserve to be level at worst.
A long throw sees an indecisive Pope punch the ball just after Sven Botman heads it.
Schade is at the back post and has enough room to nod home.
Bees fire out of the break
Ramsey caught on the ball and Mikkel Damsgaard quickly lays off to his right.
Yehor Yarmoliuk runs onto it and lashes toward the near post, where Nick Pope makes his latest intervention with a leg save.
Halftime — Brentford 0-1 Newcastle United
Scares for Newcastle with Joelinton going off and Sandro Tonali dinged up but able to continue for now.
Brentford have been better but Newcastle’s goal was very good, Woltemade turning provider for Barnes terrific cut and finish.
Shot attempts are 5-2 for Brentford, who’ve had just a bit more of the ball.
Harvey Barnes goal — Brentford 0-1 Newcastle
Nick Woltemade does very well to serve the ball for Harvey Barnes, and the winger has work to do... and does it well.
Barnes puts two defenders on skates with a cut to his left, then hammers a shot by Kelleher to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
Joelinton injury
Jacob Ramsey will get a run the rest of the way as Newcastle’s influential playmaker/enforcer Joelinton exits with an injury.
Brentford lineup
Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Hickey, Yarmoliuk, Henderson, Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade, Thiago
Newcastle lineup
Pope, Burn, Botman, Thiaw, Trippier, Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes, Barnes, Murphy, Woltemade
Brentford vs Newcastle preview — by Joe Prince -Wright
Despite their 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend the Bees have been very impressive under first-year coach Keith Andrews so far this season. They’ve stayed true to their playing style and new signings Jordan Henderson, Dango Ouattara and Caoimhin Kelleher, plus the fit-again Igor Thiago, have eased fears of Brentford being in a season-long relegation scrap after losing key players and their manager this summer. They could still be sucked into the relegation picture but at the moment they look dangerous in attack and have already beaten Liverpool and Manchester United at home.
As for Newcastle, well, they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at struggling West Ham last weekend and Eddie Howe was not happy. He was much happier in midweek as they beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League to make it three wins from four in that competition. But in the Premier League the Magpies are still struggling to replace the goals lost following Alexander Isak’s departure. New signing Nick Woltemade has been exceptional but Newcastle have picked up some big injuries so far and their squad looks a little stretched and sluggish.
Brentford team news, focus
Josh Dasilva remains out with a knee injury but is working his way back to full fitness and is in training. Brentford have a big squad to choose from and have so many players stepping up. Michael Kayode has been superb at right back and his long throws are so key to the way Brentford play. As aforementioned their new signings have all settled in well and of course Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade and Thiago up top are so crucial to their counters and are so hard to stop when they’re confident and in full-flow. Andrews will be keen to cut out a few sloppy defensive mistakes which have crept into their play now and then.
Newcastle team news, focus
Anthony Gordon went down with an injury in midweek against Bilbao which is a blow, while summer-signing from Brentford, Yoane Wissa, remains out along with Tino Livramento and William Osula. Eddie Howe will likely go with Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, and Harvey Barnes in attack with Jacob Murphy also pushing to start. The defense and midfield is so solid but Howe needs more from his attacking midfielders and wide players to feed the clinical Woltemade.
Brentford vs Newcastle prediction
This feels like it will be a fun one and probably end even. Brentford 2-2 Newcastle.
How to watch Brentford vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (November 9)
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium — London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
