Newcastle cruise to back-to-back victories with Brentford win
The Magpies were unchanged after demolishing Fulham at Craven Cottage last week. Star of the show in that performance was Miguel Almirón (28), and he nearly provided another moment of magic in the early stages, cutting in from the left before arrowing at the top corner, but David Raya (27) was on hand to deny him.
There was a scare moments later when Bryan Mbeumo (23) looked to have opened the scoring, only to be denied after a VAR review for the perceived involvement of the offside Ivan Toney (26).
Eddie Howe’s men resumed control of the contest and would soon be in front. A smartly-worked corner routine allowed Kieran Trippier (32) the time and space to pick out Bruno Guimarães (24) at the back post for the Brazilian to powerfully head home.
The lead would be doubled within seven minutes as the Bees proved the architects of their own downfall. Raya gave the ball away to Callum Wilson (30), and the striker showed admirable unselfishness to slide in Jacob Murphy (27) for a tap-in.
While the hosts’ commanding position in the contest looked secure, a moment of madness from Dan Burn jeopardised that. The Newcastle defender blocked Aaron Hickey’s header with his arm, resulting in a Brentford penalty.
The ever-reliable Toney stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick with aplomb, spreading anxiety around St. James’.
That would be short-lived though as the Magpies restored their two-goal advantage moments later with Guimarães on the scoresheet again. Driving forward from midfield, his shot from outside the area proved too accurate for Raya and nestled in the bottom corner.
Another awful error at the back from Thomas Frank’s men presented Newcastle with their fourth, as Almirón was finally rewarded for his enterprise to score for the third time in his last two games.
The punishment wasn’t over for the Bees as the returning Ethan Pinnock inadvertently deflected Joelinton’s cross into his own net, meaning they’ve now won just one of their last seven league outings.
Things are looking much rosier for Newcastle though, who are unbeaten from their first six games on home soil this term, a run that has temporarily moved them into the top five.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United)
