Brentford 1-2 Newcastle: Howe inspires Mags to massive win in top-four fight

And breathe...

After an awful first half full of penalties, poor defending and Brentford pressure, Newcastle United came from behind to seal yet another massive win in our pursuit of a top-four finish.

It was arguably one the worst 45 minutes we've delivered all season, but Ivan Toney's spot kick was turned on its head as two brilliant half-time changes from Eddie Howe inspired us to a superb comeback.

We weren't at our best and looked jaded in our third game in six days, yet we showed our Champions League mettle and bags of bottle to fight back against a Brentford side who hadn't lost at home since September.

On a day where Man Utd and Spurs also picked up three points, this feels like another defining moment in our season and a victory to savour. We could've folded against a Brentford side unbeaten in their last 10 at the Gtech, but a half-time reshuffle, moment of Isak magic, massive performance from Joelinton and much improved second 45 was enough to make it five wins on the spin, sending us 13 clear of Liverpool and 10 ahead of Brighton; who lost 2-1 at Tottenham.

The hosts made a decent start, as a cleverly worked free kick and early opening for Toney was scrambled clear by Schar, before Botman was needed soon after to stop the pacey Schade from bursting through on goal. Another close shave followed when Toney tapped into an empty net from Pope’s parry. The entire stadium thought it was 1-0 Brentford, only for VAR replays to show the former Toon striker was marginally ahead of Longstaff. Phew.

That didn’t take away from what had been a really slow start, however. It was all Brentford and an opening 15 minutes to forget, as we looked half asleep in the West London sunshine. We needed to wake up and finally settled into the game leading up to the 20-minute mark, getting our foot on the ball and pushing the Bees back after their bright start. Sadly, that period of pressure didn’t last long.

Schade left Schar for dead down our left, Botman was dragged out and the Dutchman got his challenge all wrong, wiping out the forward to hand the home side a penalty. Toney had scored his previous 32 from the spot, but Pope guessed right and gathered his tame effort.

That was ANOTHER big let off, but we had to sort it out. We looked all at sea defensively and as open as I’ve seen all season the build up to that penalty. A few minutes before the break, we were punished by more reckless defending, as Isak’s stray boot caught Henry. VAR took a close look, sent the referee to review and another spot kick was given, although I haven’t a clue how it could’ve been considered a “clear and obvious” error. Either way, it was given and Toney converted on this occasion, sending Pope the wrong way. 1-0 Brentford and exactly what we deserved after a pretty awful 45 minutes.

Dare I say, the worst half of football we’ve produced under Eddie Howe? We looked slow, tired, were rash in the tackle and totally unorganised. A much improved second half was needed if we were to turn things around against a Brentford side who hasn’t lost at the GTech since September. Thankfully, that's exactly what followed.

Something had to change and Howe didn't mess about at the break, bringing on Gordon and Wilson in Longstaff and Murphy's place. This saw us move to more of a 4-2-3-1, with Isak playing just off Wilson, Willock moving out to the left, Gordon operating own the right and Bruno partnering Joelinton in a double pivot. It almost paid off immediately, as Bruno slipped in Burn - who was marginally offside before having his effort blocked by Hickey. Thankfully, a strong start to the second 45 was soon rewarded, as Joelinton cut in from the right and fired an effort from the angle in off Raya. 1-1!

A reward for our positive start to the second half and two decisive changes from Howe, yet we weren't done there, as some good work from Wilson set up Isak on the edge of the box on the hour mark. The Swede had plenty to do, but curled an edge of the box effort into the top corner before celebrating in style in front of the travelling Toon Army. What a finish and what a turnaround after such a sluggish first half, seeing us go from 1-0 down to 1-2 up within the first 15 minutes of the restart.

It looked like we'd then made it three moments later, as Wilson fired home from Schar's flick-on from a set piece. However, replays showed the ball struck the top of his arm in the build up and VAR chalked it off. Frustrating, yet more positive signs.

At the other end, Pope stepped up once again to save our bacon, palming Toney's glancing header away to safety from another dangerous set piece. We had been a constant threat on the break, looking far better for Wilson and Gordon's introduction, but we were starting to tire, as our No 9 fired a good chance wide after great work from Bruno before a subbed-on Anderson had a tame effort gathered by Raya after a quick break from Gordon.

Lascelles replaced Isak in the closing stages to help us cope with Brentford's aerial threat, which gave them one last chance as Toney pinned Botman from a looping ball into the box. Thankfully, his header looped over Pope and onto the roof of the net, seeing Newcastle hold out for a MASSIVE three points.

Joelinton was outstanding after dropping deeper alongside Bruno, Botman, Schar and Burn recovered from a really ropey first half showing and Pope also played a key role - not only saving a penalty and stopping Toney's later header, but also claiming a host of high balls into the box.

On a side note, Gordon didn't seem best pleased at being subbed off, cutting a frustrated figure as Howe attempted to explain his late withdrawal. Hopefully he learns from that and understands the decision, as it was clearly a late ploy to run down the clock; not a reflection of his high-energy cameo down the right.

Three wins in six days, five victories on the spin and a stunning turnaround to keep us ahead of Man Utd and Spurs; who both won today to keep the pressure on in the top-four race.

Next up, another tough trip to Aston Villa next weekend. GET IN!

STARTING XI: Pope - Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn - Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock - Murphy, Isak, Joelinton.

SUBS: Dubravka, Dummett, Lascelles, Gordon, Wilson, Ritchie, Targett, Manquillo, Anderson.