Newcastle United vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from St. James' Park
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
Brentford are trying to force their way past a compact Newcastle defence. Jensen lifts it over the top to Mbuemo, and he drags it away from Burn before a bad touch gifts it straight back to the hosts.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Guimaraes' sloppy pass goes straight to Baptiste, who picks out Dasilva's darting run down the left. He fizzes a good cross into the box, but there's too much on it for Mbuemo at the far post.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Pope goes long with his goal-kick and Longstaff flicks it on to set Almiron away down the right. He's almost at the byline when he loses control of it and he's claiming there was a tug from Pinnock, but nothing's given.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Guimaraes has stayed down holding his calf and the physio comes on to give him some treatment. He's quickly back to his feet and he'll be able to carry on.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Since making his Premier League debut in February, Guimaraes has scored more goals in the competition than any other Newcastle player (six).
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Brentford are dropping back deeper into their own half, and they just can't keep hold of the ball at the moment. Jensen's loose touch goes straight to Almiron, but his first-time shot hits Henry.
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