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
It's another good counter-attack from Newcastle, with Almiron starting off the charge again. It's worked through Guimaraes and Willock, who touches it onto Murphy, but his low cross is blocked.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Trippier is down receiving treatment, and he's moving gingerly when he gets back to his feet, but he'll be able to carry on.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Newcastle are enjoying a good spell of possession here as they look to add to their lead. It's worked through Trippier down the right again, but his cross to Wilson is blocked.
Newcastle United vs Brentford
SAVE! The game is starting to open up now, and Dasilva just trips as he's slid in on the edge of the box. It rolls kindly to Baptiste, who does take the shot, drilling it towards the far post, and Pope gets down to push it away.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments