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
Substitution Jacob Kai Murphy Joelinton Cassio Apolinário de Lira
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Jensen's long throw-in is nodded straight back out to him, so he chooses to lay it off to Ajer at the near post. He wasn't expecting it though, and can only poke it to Botman.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Substitution Shandon Baptiste Ogochukwu Frank Onyeka
Newcastle United vs Brentford
WIDE! Newcastle win a free-kick through the middle and it's a cute chip over the Brentford wall to pick out Wilson's run. He was onside as he brushed aside Mee, but volleyed his shot wide of the near post.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Hickey's cross is cleared by Schar and Newcastle break on the counter again. Trippier picks out Almiron down the right and he swings an early cross into the box, but it's straight into Raya's gloves.
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