Brentford 2 Newcastle 4 – Brazilliance in the sunshine | OneFootball

Brentford 2 Newcastle 4 – Sunday 19 May 4pm

A match that kicked off in glorious late season sunshine.

Eddie Howe making four changes and within two minutes, one of those changes was picking the ball out of the net. A first start in five and a half months and Pope (replacing Dubravka) conceding to Toney after a fine sweeping Brentford move, however, VAR to the rescue, showing home players offside twice during the move.

Gordon out injured and Barnes coming in, whilst the other two changes seeing Schar in the middle and Krafth moving to right-back, Trippier dropping to the bench, with Joelinton in for Anderson.

Another swift break from a lively looking home side saw Lewis Hall make a rare slip and his Mbeumo raced down the right, before finding Toney, his low shot well save by Pope’s foot.

A very open game then swung to the other end and a brilliant Isak run down the right saw a perfect low ball across, Joelinton somehow missing an open goal from six yards out!

Newcastle United though were finding their grip on this game and on 21 minutes were ahead. A beautiful Bruno clipped cross and fine movement from Barnes saw him make no mistake with his header.

Four minutes later and it was Newcastle’s turn to be disallowed a goal following a VAR offside check. Isak found to be fractionally offside before he laid the ball off for Longstaff to score.

Newcastle though now in command and driving forward with numbers.

Alexander Isak wonderful movement on the left this time, his brilliant low ball seeing an easy finish for Murphy on 36 minutes.

Two minutes later and it was 3-0! This time Isak with a much deserved goal, Bruno another assist and the Swede driving it across the keeper who got a touch as it ended up in the bottom corner.

Ivan Toney showing his frustration though, in the middle of the pitch a cowardly foul from behind on Bruno with no intention of getting the ball. A yellow card not really enough of a punishment.

Alexander Isak showing what a brilliant striker he is when fully fit, Joelinton finding him with a great ball in a central position and after drifting past his marker, the keeper with a great save to deny Isak a second and Newcastle a fourth.

A superb first half.

After the break and Brentford to get some kind of way back into the match.

Three minutes in and they got it, a good pass from Wissa saw Janelt time his run perfectly and give Pope no chance with a low finish from ten yards out.

A few minutes later and an embarrassing dive from Wissa tried to con a penalty, the referee on the spot though to give a yellow, saving VAR a job.

Brilliant feet by Barnes on the hour mark won a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Schar’s poor low effort deflected kindly for Isak but off balance his left foot effort from eight yards out went wide.

Play back down the other end and a right side cross picking out Toney nine yards out but a brilliant Nick Pope low save keeping the score 3-1 to United.

United looking dangerous but then a shock goal at the other end, out of nothing Wissa eluding a couple of Newcastle defenders and whipping in a 20 yard shot that went in off the post.

Lewis Hall had been very good and driving at the Brentford defence he was brought down and a penalty given, only for a VAR check to claim that an initial contact was just outside the box. Very harsh!

Isak insisting on taking the free-kick and the keeper only able to parry, Bruno sharp and knocks in the loose ball. Justice done!

With ten minutes to go, Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson coming off the bench in front of the watching Gareth Southgate.

Newcastle comfortably playing out the remainder of the match, with somehow another eight minutes played after the 90.

The final whistle goes on a 4-2 scoreline and a very good last day performance, with Chelsea winning as well it is seventh place for United.

Isak my man of the match but backed up by Brazilliance in the sunshine today, Joelinton and Bruno excellent.

Stats via BBC Sport:

Newcastle United:

Barnes 21, Murphy 36, Isak 38, Bruno 77

Brentford:

Janelt 48, Wissa 70

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Brentford 53% (54%) Newcastle 47% (46%)

Total shots were Brentford 10 (3) Newcastle 12 (8)

Shots on target were Brentford 5 (1) Newcastle 7 (5)

Corners were Brentford 3 (1) Newcastle 0 (0)

Touches in the box Brentford 12 (5) Newcastle 29 (19)

Newcastle team v Brentford:

Pope; Krafth, Schar (Dummett 90+2), Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton (Trippier 81); J Murphy (Almiron 68), Isak (Wilson 81), Barnes (Anderson 68)