Newcastle United vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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Newcastle United have had worse anniversaries. A club with designs on setting up residence in the top six marked a year of new ownership by scoring five goals and surging into the European places. It may only be temporary, as others have games in hand, but the more pertinent statistic is that Newcastle have the sixth most points in the last 12 months. If that is testament to the difference Eddie Howe has made, his biggest win in charge was garnished by Bruno Guimaraes, who struck twice in a star turn.
Investment has brought improvement and Guimaraes continues to look a fine use of £40 million. In a heady year on Tyneside, much of a £200 million outlay has been spent disturbingly sensibly.
Progress feels a consequence, along with Howe’s capacity to blend the imported with the inherited, and Newcastle celebrated a year under the auspices of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – or, according to interpretation, a year without Mike Ashley – with the sort of scoreline that would have felt impossible at this stage in 2021, when they were winless, but which does not now.
United had drawn their previous three at St James’ Park but wins have nonetheless become normalised here: this was a ninth in 13 matches.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Another corner is wasted for Brentford and Saint-Maximin breaks on the counter again. It's switched out to Anderson on the right, who tries to feed in Joelinton, but Pinnock clears the danger.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Janelt trips Willock after being beaten to the ball, but it bounces to Toney, who hits a half-volley towards goal. The referee's whistle had already gone, but Pope punching it away still gets a big cheer from the home fans.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Brentford win a free-kick down the right and Janelt swings it into the far post. He's looking for Wissa, but Schar does enough to stop him from reaching it.
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