Thiago Scores Two Late Goals as Brentford Beat Newcastle

At a glance

Harvey Barnes opens scoring with clinical finish

Kevin Schade equalises with header

Igor Thiago scores penalty before adding another goal in stoppage time

PLAYER RATINGS

Igor Thiago scored a late double as Brentford came from behind to defeat Newcastle United and extend the visitors’ miserable Premier League record on the road.

Harvey Barnes had put Newcastle ahead in the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium after lashing the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from inside the box.

But Brentford came roaring back after the break and the hosts drew level through Kevin Schade’s header after Sven Botman could only flick Michael Kayode’s long throw across the box to the forward, who nodded home.

It was Brentford, rather than Newcastle, who pushed for a winner and the hosts were awarded a spot-kick by referee Stuart Attwell when Dan Burn took down Dango Ouattara inside the box.

Burn, who was relieved to avoid punishment after fouling Ouattara inside the box only a few minutes earlier, was sent off after being shown a second yellow card.

It fell to substitute Aaron Ramsdale, on his first league appearance for Newcastle, to try to save Thiago’s penalty after a groggy Pope went off following an awkward landing.

But the goalkeeper’s first act of the afternoon was to pick the ball out of the net after Thiago coolly sent him the wrong way from the spot.

There was still time for Thiago to add another after Malick Thiaw failed to deal with a through ball and the Brentford striker finished past Ramsdale once again.

Newcastle, who have slipped to 14th place, have now failed to win an away league game since April.Media caption,

Brentford were relentless – Andrews on win over Newcastle

Brentford analysis: Gtech turns into a fortress

Newcastle’s players will have been well-briefed about Brentford’s threat from long throws, as well as keeping a very close eye on Thiago.

But this battling Brentford side are a force on home soil, having already defeated champions Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa this season, with Manchester City the only team to win at the Gtech so far.

There was no undue panic from Brentford when they went behind and, crucially, the the hosts did not let brittle Newcastle settle into the game after the break – instead going at them from the restart.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews aimed to “imprint our gameplan on them to make it the type of game we need it to be” – and that’s exactly what his side did.

They bullied Newcastle’s giants from Kayode’s long throw in the build-up to Schade’s leveller. They did not get frustrated after Ouattara’s previous penalty appeal was waved away. And, in Thiago, they have a striker capable of stepping up in the big moments as he did late on with his eighth and ninth goals of the season – all but one of them in the league.

By the time Thiago made it 3-1, Brentford fans felt assured enough to ask their former forward Yoane Wissa, who pushed for a move to Newcastle, what the score was.

This was another memorable home victory to add to a growing list.Media caption,

‘Whatever could go wrong, did go wrong’ – Howe reflects on Brentford loss

Newcastle analysis: More away day woes

Burn said during the week that this trip to Brentford was where travel-sick Newcastle had to “earn their money”. They did anything but.

Just like a week ago, against West Ham, Newcastle took the lead in the capital. Just like a week ago, they capitulated and went on to lose the game 3-1.

Recurring themes are rearing their head away from home – a lack of goals, defensive frailty and a huge mentality issue.

Remarkably, Newcastle only had a single shot on target. They won four fewer aerial duels than Brentford. They covered 3km less than the hosts.

This side have no issues getting up for a game at St James’ Park or a Champions League night under the lights.

But they continue to flounder on the road and now sit just two points above the relegation zone.

What’s next for these teams?

Brentford face Brighton at the Amex Stadium in their first game after the international break on Saturday, 22 November (15:00 GMT) before hosting Burnley at the Gtech on Saturday, 29 November (15:00 GMT).

Newcastle welcome Manchester City to St James’ Park on Saturday, 22 November (17:30 GMT) and then play Marseille at the Stade Velodrome in the Champions League on Wednesday, 25 November (20:00 GMT).

Average rating7.80

Source: BBC