2024/25
Matchweek 15
All times shown are your local time
Sat 7 Dec 2024
Kick Off:
Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford
Att: 17,078
Ref: Simon Hooper
KOMins
11
28
32
45 +3
  • HT
  • 56
    67
    88
    90
  • FT
  • WHO'S GOING TO BE YOUR

    MAN OF THE MATCH?

    Report

    Brentford registered a fifth successive Premier League home win as the Bees buzzed through Storm Darragh to earn a thrilling 4-2 victory over Newcastle United.

    Four first-half goals kept fans at the Gtech Community Stadium on the edge of their seats as Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa's efforts were cancelled out by quickfire equalisers from Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes.

    The chances flowed at both ends in the second half, but it was Brentford who seized their opportunity to rack up another three points.

    Nathan Collins prodded home a first goal since October to put them 3-2 up, then Kevin Schade put the seal on their win with a dinked finish in stoppage time.

    Thomas Frank's team remain unbeaten on home soil this season and now sit seventh in the table, while Newcastle remain 12th and are without a victory in four league games.

    They are joint-top of the scoring chart with 31 goals, of which 26 have been scored at home, nine more than any other team. 

    How the match unfolded

    A chaotic first period was in keeping with wild and windy conditions, with four goals scored after Sean Longstaff rattled the crossbar from range early on.

    Mbeumo got the ball rolling for the hosts after eight minutes, stepping inside Lewis Hall to fire home, before Isak stooped to nod Newcastle level three minutes later.

    That set the tone for an engaging battle, with Isak denied by a sprawling Mark Flekken, before Wissa pounced on a loose pass from Barnes to fire the Bees back in front after 28 minutes.

    However, Brentford's lead lasted just four minutes this time, as more static defending allowed Barnes to make it 2-2, before Jacob Murphy frustratingly headed over with the goal gaping.

    Brentford settled quicker after the restart, with Nick Pope diverting Wissa's strike onto the post before Collins stole in behind Newcastle's defence to steer home after 56 minutes.

    Eddie Howe turned to his bench to find a third equaliser, but substitute Anthony Gordon sent their best chance wide, then Schade raced clear of a stretched Newcastle backline at the death for the clinching goal.

    Home is where the heart is

    One of the quirks of Brentford's season so far has been the wild contrast between their home and away form in the Premier League.

    This win against Newcastle brings the Bees up to 22 home points gained so far in 2024/25 - more than any other top-flight side - with seven wins and one draw from eight matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.

    No team has won more games at home, though they are one of just two teams yet to register a victory on their travels, alongside bottom club Southampton.

    However, given the congested nature of this Premier League campaign, the Bees' outstanding form on home soil could be enough to have them dreaming of a push for Europe.

    No Brentford player enjoys his outings at the Gtech more than Wissa. His goal against the Magpies was his eighth home goal of the campaign from nine scored overall, and he has now netted in seven home league games in a row.

    Nottingham Forest will become the final team to visit the Gtech in the Premier League this calendar year on 21 December, after Frank's men go to Chelsea for a west London Derby next Sunday.

    Mixed bag for Barnes

    Barnes was withdrawn on 74 minutes with a fifth Premier League goal of the season to his name, but there will be a sense of a missed opportunity felt by the former Leicester City winger.

    His first-half goal came between two wasted openings and his defensive work fell glaringly short in the build-up to Wissa's goal, the Brentford man taking in his slack pass before advancing into the area and rifling home.

    Howe's decision to utilise Barnes on the left of the Magpies frontline, alongside Isak and Murphy, came as part of a plan to rotate Gordon.

    However, Barnes grew quiet in the second half and it was no surprise to see Gordon introduced when the Magpies went in search of a third equaliser late on – a hunt in which they ultimately fell short.

    Gordon's dynamism in one-on-one situations remains a key aspect of Newcastle's strategy and Barnes still has plenty of work to do to nail down a starting spot.

    With his former club Leicester visiting St James' Park next week, Barnes will hope for another opportunity to impress.

    Club reports

    Brentford report | Newcastle report

    Match officials

    Referee: Simon Hooper. Assistants: Tim Wood, Steve Meredith. Fourth official: Steve Martin. VAR: Jarred Gillett. Assistant VAR: Nick Greenhalgh.

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    Club Reports

    Match officials

    Referee: Simon Hooper

    Fourth Official: Steve Martin

    VAR: Jarred Gillett

    Assistant VAR: Nick Greenhalgh

    Fourth Official: Stephen Martin

    Match related content will appear here

        Season So Far

        Brentford
         
        Newcastle

        Top Player Stats

          Head-to-Head

          Brentford
          Total Wins
          1
          Home
          1
          Away
          0
          Newcastle
          Total Wins
          5
          Home
          2
          Away
          3

          Played

          7

          Draws 1

          Recent Meetings