Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players | OneFootball

We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 3 Brentford 1.

I was a little surprised to see the same starting XI that took the field against Leicester, they served up a second comfortable win in a row. Not quite as comfortable as Saturday but then very few teams are as bad as Leicester.

Again, there were good performances all over the pitch from a team that is balanced, potent in attack and competent in defence.

I said it was comfortable but that doesn’t mean it was easy. Brentford didn’t just come to make up the numbers and Newcastle had to work hard and concentrate hard to ensure safe passage to the semi-finals.

We’ll be playing one of the alleged ‘big six’ in the next round, but over two legs, I’d back us against anyone.

One last point – there was a cracking atmosphere at SJP last night, and the corner serenaded us throughout with songs and chants that I heard long before most of them were born

Martin Dubravka – 8

Made three or four smart saves and was confident on balls into the box.

Didn’t do a lot wrong on the goal and was clearly frustrated not to get another clean sheet.

If he is to leave in the January window, I wish him well.

Tino Livramento – 7

Not yet the best defensive full back, as evidenced by him being caught flat-footed a couple of times. But it was only a couple of times and going forward he was brave and purposeful.

Fabian Schar – 8

Some lovely passes and a few that didn’t come off.

Assured for the most part in defence but Brentford exploited his lack of pace for their goal.

Extra point for another strike. This one a worldie from one yard out. A yellow card means he’ll miss the first leg of the semi-final.

Dan Burn – 8

Brentford gave our defence a decent examination, with a number of long balls to deal with.

BDB got his head to a lot of them and was quick to clear his lines when he needed to.

Another one who may have prevented the Brentford goal if he’d been quicker, but no complaints.

Lewis Hall – 9

Another excellent display, both defensively and offensively.

High levels of concentration, a good football brain, very comfortable on the ball.

He and Gordon have developed a great understanding down our left-hand side.

Sandro Tonali – 10

The best player on the park by a mile.

Scored a couple of high-quality goals, covered the whole pitch, won the ball on countless occasions, and nearly always used it well.

But what I liked most about his performance is that he was always looking around to see where the space was, who was available to receive a pass etc. Sandro Tonali is one heck of a footballer.

Bruno Guimaraes – 8

Another good performance from Bruno, capped off with an intelligent assist for Newcastle’s third goal.

Was always in the thick of the action and won us a lot of free kicks.

If I have a slight criticism, it’s that he has a tendency to overdo things – dwelling too long on the ball and trying impossible passes. He can’t do that against whoever we get in the next round but another yellow card means he’ll miss the first leg of that.

Joelinton – 7

Marauded all over the park while he was on and was going well, until one of the Brentford players got him with an MMA elbow/studs combo.

I’m prepared to accept it was accidental but I’m not sure Joe was.

He didn’t reappear after half time and we won’t see him on Saturday. Hopefully, he’ll be back to full health on Boxing Day.

Jacob Murphy – 7

Another decent performance from Murphy.

Positive and energetic, seems to give the team balance. Hit the post and came close on another occasion.

Alexander Isak – 7

Looked good with the ball at his feet but he often had to wander away from goal to receive it.

To be fair to Brentford, they did a decent number on him, and didn’t allow him a clear scoring opportunity.

Anthony Gordon – 9

AG’s second good game on the bounce and we are starting to see the performance levels we enjoyed last season.

Applied constant pressure to the Brentford defence, whether pressing them or with the ball at his feet. He’ll be as stiff as a board this morning – he never stopped.

Joe Willock – 7

Getting back into the swing of things.

We know Willock needs games to get up to speed and there was evidence last night that this was happening. He looked sharp and had a go at the Brentford defence.

Harvey Barnes – 6

Hit the post, worked hard and did nothing wrong.

But Gordon’s form means he can’t get to play in his favoured position, so we didn’t see him at his best. His chance will come.

Miguel Almiron – 6

Fair play to Miggy.

His chances have been limited this season and there is plenty of press linking him with an exit. But when he came on he gave it his all, even though the game was in the bag by then.

William Osula – 6

I liked what I saw. Seemed very strong and showed a bit of pace.

Had a half-chance that with a better first touch may have yielded him his first Newcastle goal. He’s a little raw but he’s definitely worth persevering with.

Kieran Trippier – 6

With Tino our first-choice right back, it’s sometimes easy to forget what a good footballer Trippier is.

As he did in the Leicester game on Saturday, he slotted straight in without a fuss, and was good with the ball and without.

Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Wednesday 18 December 7.45pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Tonali 9, 43 Schar 69

Brentford:

Wissa 90+1

Possession was Newcastle 54% Brentford 46%

Total shots were Newcastle 23 Brentford 10

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Brentford 3

Corners were Newcastle 8 Brentford 5

Touches in the box Newcastle 35 Brentford 23

Newcastle team v Brentford:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Trippier 77), Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 46), Murphy (Barnes 65), Isak (Osula 77), Gordon (Almiron 77)

Unused Subs:

Vlachodimos, Targett, Lewis Miley, Kelly

(Two Newcastle United players pick up suspensions on Wednesday night – Harsh – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)