Newcastle United extended their unbeaten streak to seven games in the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 win against a ten-man Brentford side.
Newcastle dominated the proceedings in the first half against Brentford, helped by the early sending off of Brentford midfielder Josh Dasilva, who planted his boot into Matt Targett’s ankle – adjudged as serious foul play after a VAR check. Up against ten men, the Magpies spent the rest of the half surging forward but wasted a couple of great chances, with David Raya keeping Chris Wood at bay.
The Magpies eventually broke the Bees’ resistance when Joelinton headed home from a tempting Ryan Fraser cross in the 33rd-minute. They subsequently took the sting out of the contest by doubling their advantage a minute before the interval when Joe Willock rounded off a superb counter-attacking move with a deft finish – assisted by Fabian Schar.
The game will be remembered as the day on which Christian Eriksen made his return to competitive football since his collapse at last year’s UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. His introduction was greeted with a great reception from both sets of supporters and players at the Brentford Community Stadium.
The result means Newcastle not only overtake Brentford, but also leapfrog both Leeds United and Everton into 14th in the table for the time being. At the same time, their undefeated record remains intact and has now reached seven games, including four victories. The Hard Tackle will now run the rule Eddie Howe’s men after they bagged another crucial win to take a step towards Premier League safety.
Martin Dubravka: 6/10
Dubravka did not have much to do between the sticks, with the hosts managing only a single shot on target. But he did his due diligence in dealing with awkward balls into the box and made a decent close-range save to deny Vitaly Janelt towards the end of the match.
Emil Krafth: 6.5/10
Krafth kept things simple at the back and dealt with the threats of Rico Henry and Yoane Wissa very well. He also made some good underlapping and overlapping runs down the right flank.
Fabian Schar: 8/10
Schar contributed heavily at both ends of the pitch. He was an ice-cool presence at the back and did not give the Brentford attackers a sight of Newcastle’s goal, with a match-high seven clearances. The Swiss star also provided a brilliant assist for Willock’s goal after bringing a long clearance under control in impeccable fashion. He could have found the back of the net himself, but wasted a free header just after half-time.
Dan Burn: 7.5/10
Newcastle United's record in the Premier League without Dan Burn:
▪️ 22 games
▪️ 2 clean sheetsNewcastle United's record in the Premier League with Dan Burn:
▪️ 3 games
▪️ 2 clean sheetsHoway the Big Lad. ? pic.twitter.com/OdJWfB10v3
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) February 26, 2022
Another easy day in the office for Dan Burn after a shaky start to the game, with the speedy Bryan Mbeumo giving him trouble. Nonetheless, it was a fine display at the back from the Blyth-born defender. He won a match-high five aerial duels and was generally strong in defensive actions. He has formed a solid partnership alongside Schar that has only conceded once in the last three games and preserved two clean sheets.
Matt Targett: 8/10
Got forward very well to support Ryan Fraser and got into some very promising areas to draw saves from David Raya. He also covered well defensively to make several vital interventions to avoid an opposition counter-attack. He was fortunate to leave the field unharmed after a shocking red-card challenge from Josh Dasilva that was followed by another late tackle by Kristoffer Ajer on the same foot.
Joelinton: 9/10
Joelinton's game by numbers vs. Brentford:
62 touches
21 passes in the final third
19 duels attempted (most)
11 duels won (most)
5 possessions won
2 possessions won in the final third (most)
3 aerial duels won
1 chance created
1 goalAnother massive performance. ? pic.twitter.com/h7G0VG3Tey
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 26, 2022
It was another industrious performance from Joelinton. The Brazilian powered in a great header to set the tone for Newcastle. It was nothing more than what he deserves given his remarkable transformation into a midfield workhorse under Howe. He looks to be gradually becoming a cult figure among the Newcastle fanbase as he sprinted the full length of the field to celebrate with the travelling Toon support.
Jonjo Shelvey: 8/10
Shelvey sat the deepest of the midfield three as Joelinton and Joe Willock bombarded forward to join the attack once Brentford went down to ten men. He remained calm, collected and ran the show in the middle of the park. He kept things ticking along with his range of passing and switched the play effectively to maintain Magpies’ dominance throughout the game.
Joe Willock: 8/10
After a somewhat quiet start, Willock grew into the game and got on the end of a fine counter-attacking move to apply a great finish, effectively sealing the game for Newcastle. He also zoomed around the field with tremendous industry. With his second goal in as many games, he looks to have rediscovered his scoring boots, which would be essential for the Toon considering the absences of Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson.
Ryan Fraser: 8/10
Fraser wreaked havoc on the left side and appeared unplayable at times as he toyed with the Brentford defenders with his sharp turns and menacing speed. He put in numerous threatening crosses into the box, including a teasing one that found the head of Joelinton to put the Magpies ahead. Usually, he is deployed on the right by Howe, but the tactical switch worked to perfection as Fraser and Targett complemented each other very well on the left.
??????? Ryan Fraser created more chances (7), completed more attacking third passes (29/33) and completed more crosses (6/13) than other player in the Brentford vs Newcastle game.
The magic Scotsman. #BRENEW #NewcastleUnited pic.twitter.com/tgkiFyccbk
— Mozo Football (@MozoFootball) February 26, 2022
Jacob Murphy: 7/10
Murphy put in a decent, energetic display as he continues to impress with his defensive work rate in Saint-Maximin’s absence. He contained Brentford’s danger-man Rico Henry and was not afraid to take on his man in a foot race, although he faded in the second half before being subbed off around the hour mark.
Chris Wood: 6/10
Wood’s wait for the first goal in a Newcastle shirt continues as the target-man failed to get on the scoresheet in his sixth attempt. Nonetheless, he battled hard and asked plenty of questions of the Bees’ backline. He had two big chances in the first half, both free headers from close range, but they were straight into Raya’s hands. However, he is getting into scoring positions, which is usually a good sign.
Substitutes
Bruno Guimaraes: 7/10
Bruno Guimaraes was effective at the heart of midfield after coming off the bench. Tidy in keeping possession, the Brazilian brought composure and even more control to Newcastle’s midfield. His ability to play defence-splitting through passes was clearly evident, too, when he played Fraser and Willock through on the wings a fair few times.
Jamaal Lascelles: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Miguel Almiron: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
