Sandro Tonali snatched all three points with a goal from the unlikeliest, most incomprehensible spot on the field as Newcastle topped Brentford 2-1 at St. James’ Park on Wednesday.
WATCH – Newcastle vs Brentford full match replay
It was 1-1 with just over a quarter-hour left to play after talismans Alexander Isak and Bryan Mbemo traded goals either side of halftime. Newcastle had significantly more shots in the games (21-12) but Brentford created marginally better scoring chances (1.59-1.43 xG), yet it was the least threatening shot of the night (and perhaps the entire Premier League season) that decided the outcome.
Tonali made an overlapping run on the right wing and Harvey Barnes played the ball in behind Bees left back Keane Lewis-Potter. Tonali ran onto the ball and hammered it first-time with his right foot about five yards short of the corner flag, seemingly attempting to cross it into the penalty area for any one of three targets making runs to all parts of the goal. But the ball came off his foot hot and caught goalkeeper Mark Flekken leaning toward the outfield before he realized it was headed for his near post. Flekken got a flailing hand to it, but the ball was hit with such pace and height that he could only tip it into the ceiling of his own goal.
The victory sees Newcastle (50 points) move into 5th place (a presumed UEFA Champions League place this season) for the time being with Chelsea not playing until Thursday (vs Tottenham Hotspur). Newcastle will, however, have a game in hand after Chelsea play, meaning they control their own destiny with nine games to go. Brentford (41 points), meanwhile, remain 11th in the PL table.
Player ratings – Newcastle vs Brentford
What’s next?
- Brentford vs Chelsea — Sunday, 9 am ET
- Leicester vs Newcastle — Monday, 3 pm ET
Newcastle vs Brentford live updates – by Andy Edwards
Newcastle vs Brentford final score: 2-1
Goalscorers: Alexander Isak (45’+2), Bryan Mbeumo (66′ – PK), Sandro Tonali (74′)
GOAL! Newcastle 2-1 Brentford: Tonali scores a screamer from the most unlikely angle (74′)
Tonali thunders Newcastle 2-1 ahead of Brentford
Sandro Tonali absolutely leathers this effort from an impossible angle to give Newcastle a 2-1 lead over Brentford.
GOAL! Newcastle 1-1 Brentford: Mbeumo scores from the spot after Pope clatters into him (66′)
Mbeumo’s penalty puts Brentford level v. Newcastle
Yoane Wissa is brought down inside the box, where Bryan Mbeumo steps up to tuck away his spot-kick to make it 1-1 against the Magpies at St. James’ Park.
GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 Brentford: Isak scores after Mbeumo slips as the cross comes in (45’+2)
Isak slots home Newcastle’s opener v. Brentford
Just moments after a goal was disallowed, Newcastle take the lead thanks to Alexander Isak’s first-time finish against Brentford at St. James’ Park.
OFFSIDE! Barnes heads home Isak’s cross but he’s a (right) foot offside
It looked like Isak would shoot and score himself, but instead chose to chip the ball to the far post but Harvey Barnes’ right foot was ahead of the ball.
Newcastle starting lineup
Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Murphy, Barnes, Isak
Brentford starting lineup
Flekken – Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock – Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Janelt, Yarmoyuk – Mbeumo, Schade, Wissa
How to watch Newcastle vs Brentford live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:45pm ET Wednesday
Venue: St. James’ Park — Newcastle-upon-Tyne
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
The Magpies beat Liverpool 2-0 at Wembley last time out to end a decades-long trophy drought, sealing a Conference League spot for next season. Eddie Howe, however, has his sights set on more. Newcastle are two points off fourth-place Chelsea, one back of fifth-place Manchester City, and they hold a match-in-hand on both rivals for a Champions League place.
Brentford’s stop-start season seems destined to continue on that path despite several flirtations with joining the European chase themselves. Thomas Frank’s Bees have 41 points and are six points back of Newcastle and seventh-place Brighton. A strong finish could well see them into Europe.
Newcastle team news, focus
OUT: Lewis Hall (foot – out for season), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Sven Botman (knee), Anthony Gordon (suspension/hip)
Brentford team news, focus
OUT: Michael Kayode (knee), Fabio Carvalho (shoulder), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Igor Thiago (knee), Josh Dasilva (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back) | QUESTIONABLE: Rico Henry (fitness)
Newcastle vs Brentford prediction
Can Newcastle quickly get their feet back on the earth following a raucous weekend celebrating the League Cup with a parade around Tyneside? Brentford have been lying in wait and perhaps that can settle Newcastle’s home-field advantage. But St. James’ Park will still be a hostile realm for the Bees, perhaps too much so as Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes drive the Magpies toward a win. Newcastle 2-1 Brentford.
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