Brentford 0-2 Newcastle: Mags up to 14th after monumental win in West London
Another brilliant day for Newcastle United, as Eddie Howe's Mags come away from West London with a well deserved 2-0 win over the Bees!
The home side had Josh Dasilva sent off within the opening 10 minutes, but we took full advantage of that as Joelinton and Joe Willock found the net in a game that saw us have 63% of the ball, 26 shots and concede just one shot on goal; which came in stoppage time.
We were a lost bunch lacking motivation, identity or acceptable fitness levels a few months ago, yet this lot now look like a proper TEAM with bucket loads of energy, so much fight and a clear idea of how the manager wants them to play. It's amazing to see and long may it last!
The result not only sees us leapfrog Brentford - who we also have two games in hand on - it extends our unbeaten run to SEVEN games, moving us up to 14th and four points clear of the bottom three.
Joelinton was outstanding, adding a goal to a typically dominant display, Willock and Fraser typically tireless, Targett and Burn brilliant as ever and Schar a class act; not only defending well but bagging the assist for our second.
Elsewhere, Burnley picked up a point at Palace and Watford managed a 0-0 draw at Man Utd, however it's not a time to worry about those below us when we are playing so well and looking anything but a side in danger of going down.
Not only have we dragged Brentford into deep trouble, Leeds appear to be in freefall after suffering yet another heavy defeat in today's early kick off - losing 4-0 to Spurs at Elland Road in a result that could get Bielsa sacked.
Back to our game, Eddie Howe named an unchanged side, fielding the same 11 who started last weekend’s 1-1 draw at West Ham. Allan Saint-Maximin missed out once again, Bruno remained on the bench and Javier Manquillo was back in the squad; meaning Krafth and Murphy were in from the start for the second game running.
STARTING 11: Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Shelvey, Willock, Joelinton – Fraser, Wood, Murphy.
SUBS: Darlow, Dummett, Lascelles, Fernandez, Manquillo, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Almiron, Gayle.
After a scrappy opening few minutes, the game took a massive turn in our favour when Brentford's Josh Dasilva was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Matt Targett.
Having a man advantage is one thing, but it only means so much if you don't make the most of it; and we didn't muck about.
We did waste one big chance, as Wood's free header from a brilliant Fraser cross was straight at Raya, however it wasn't long until we found the breakthrough.
We were getting a lot of joy down the left, with Shelvey and Schar pinging balls out to Fraser with ease. He was linking up nicely with Targett, getting good crosses into the box and forcing corners, but with breakthrough arrived when our all action Scot hung a ball up for Joelinton.
The Brazilian leapt like a Salmon and powered a header back across goal and into the bottom corner. 1-0 Newcastle and magical celebrations in the away end, with the big Joe sprinting the length of the pitch to give it large in front of the travelling Toon Army!
It was very nearly two moments later. Fraser cut in and saw a well hit shot saved superbly by Raya, Wood saw a looping header just fall short and Shelvey curled a 25-yard effort onto the side netting.
However, on the 44th minute mark, we broke free from a Brentford corner, with Schar of all people leading the charge. He did brilliantly, released Willock and our much improved £25m smashed the ball high into the net to make it 2-0!
We were in dreamland and in total control, yet it was nearly 3-0 just seconds before the half-time whistle, with Schar's header from a tight angle forcing Raya into another save.
So, we went into the break two goals to the good and in cruise control - but we had to keep it up. Continue the trend of 66% possession and 13 shots to their zero and we'd win this one comfortably.
Brentford wasted no time getting Christian Eriksen on for his emotional return to English football. It was a special moment to see him back on the field and it did give them that brief boost they needed just seven minutes into the second half, however we weathered that mini-storm with minimal fuss.
Ivan Toney was the next to be thrown on with half an hour to play, but he too was well marshalled by the rock solid Schar and Burn.
A few changes then followed from Eddie Howe. Lascelles replaced a tiring Willock to give us that added bit of height at the back (their main tactic was high balls into the box) and Guimaraes came on in the 64th minute, replacing Murphy to add some control to our play just when Brentford were pushing for a route back into the game.
We had chances to make it three in the second half. Schar headed over a big chance just after the restart, Wood wasted a big opening after linking up brilliantly with Fraser, Shelvey saw a thunderous free-kick punched clear by Raya and Almiron - who replaced Fraser in the 90th minute - saw a loan shot easily saved after ignoring Wood's run.
In truth, we never needed that third and defended well enough to see this one out without any drama, sealing a huge win in what was dubbed a relegation six-pointer prior to kick off.
So, our unbeaten run goes on and we head into next weekend's game at St James' Park both full of confidence and clear of the Bees with TWO games in hand on Thomas Frank's out of sorts side!
Next up, a clash with Brighton - who lost once again today - on Tyneside a week today!
HWTL.
