Alexander Isak celebrates the winning goal in West London. Photo: Getty Images/Serena Taylor Brentford vs Newcastle United. and bruised, Newcastle United pulled their weary bodies and tortured minds out of Brentford with one of the most impressive wins of the season.
Not because they played well, they didn't play. Not because they necessarily deserved it, but because, despite being tired, sloppy, and making mistakes, they found a way to reverse the game they were losing at half-time and win.
Losing and possibly outwitting their worst 45-minute game of the season, Newcastle picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and came back.
«They made it very difficult and it was an unusual test that we probably failed in the first half,» manager Eddie Howe said. “We had to adapt and we did it, thanks to the players. It took a lot of mental strength to change that, and you can only do that if you have a dressing room full of incredible characters.»
Initially making the wrong team choice, Hou not only brought on fresh legs by the start of the second half, he also switched from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1 formation. For 25 minutes it was buffing Brentford.
Thomas Frank's team dominated the first 45 minutes. They won the second goals, as well as their tackles. Newcastle, with no European distractions, is not a team used to playing three games in six days, and it showed.
Brentford were faster, sharper in body and mind. Newcastle were slow and long-legged. Fatigue also affects the psyche. There were too many bad decisions, especially on defense when Dan Byrne, Fabian Shar and Sven Botman were out of sorts in the first half before coming together in the second…
In midfield, playmaker Bruno Guimarães appeared to be running with a weight strapped to his back. Sean Longstaff looked like the man who was asked to run a marathon had blisters on his feet and didn't show up after the break. Jacob Murphy too.
The only thing that kept the guests in the first half was luck. Tony's goal was ruled out for a minor offside before the striker converted a penalty by Nick Pope after Botman had eliminated Kevin Shade.
The Newcastle goalkeeper didn't move, and Tony, as usual, slowly ran up and made a simple save to his right. It was only the second time Tony missed a penalty in his career, having last come back in October 2018 against Peterborough against Barnsley.
Newcastle continued to make sloppy decisions, Alexander Isak swung booted on to clear the corner, catching Rico Henry in the chest. It was the softest of the penalties and was only awarded by referee Christopher Kavanagh when Var interfered. This time Tony got the ball past Pope's jump.
Newcastle could have given up so easily but eliminated Brentford in the second leg instead. With Isak playing behind Callum Wilson and Anthony Gordon adding energy and speed on the right flank, Brentford struggled to replicate their pressure in the first half.
Joelinton found the equalizer, his attempt to push the ball over the legs of keeper David Raya instead hit the inside of the shin and turned towards the net. Seven minutes later, the visitors took the lead with Isak delivering an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area after being set up by Wilson.
Newcastle number 9 thought he had made the third count. moments later, but his goal was ruled out due to handball in a VAR build-up, the ball bounced off his shoulder before he spun around and shot.
Brentford also rallied after that and strafed the box late» Newcastle, but apart from one superb save by Pope, the defense was under pressure. It was an impressive victory because it was very difficult to achieve.
Line-ups Brentford — Newcastle United
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