A year and a day on from the Saudi takeover announcement, Newcastle United delivered a five-star display to send us into the top six, with some Bruno Guimaraes brilliance, another Miguel Almiron goal and a superb team performance – filled with several impressive displays – helping us earn back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
The victory sends us up to fifth in the Premier League on 14 points, turning as solid start into a brilliant one as Eddie Howe’s ever-improving Mags built on last weekend’s convincing win at Fulham.
He won’t make the headlines following a 5-1 win, but Sven Botman was a man mountain and a joy to watch all afternoon, reading the game superbly, stepping out from the back impressively and dealing with the physical Ivan Toney emphatically.
Along with Wor Flags – who put on another stunning display at the Gallowgate End – I thought Joe Willock was back to his best. He didn’t find the net like the equally lively Almiron, yet he carried the ball superbly and was a constant outlet.
It was actually an edgy start, as a few stray passes were followed by a Bryan Mbuemo goal that was later disallowed for a marginal offside, we kicked into gear and never looked back.
Bruno opened the scoring with a lovely header into the far corner after peeling off to the back post, although it was only made possible from a stunning Kieran Trippier cross that was whipped in with real pace and quality.
One soon became two as David Raya’s pass out from the back fell straight to Calum Wilson, who squared to Jacob Murphy; who couldn’t miss. We were smothering Brentford at this point, forcing them into long balls up to Ivan Toney and finding a way to get in behind their midfield at ease.
After going in 2-0 up at the break, Brentford made a better start to the second half and were soon back in it, with Ivan Toney scoring from the spot after Dan Burn was penalised for an unfortunate handball.
Any hope of a comeback was quickly put to bed, however, as Guimaraes fired a low shot into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box. Brilliant scenes followed, as “BRUNO” echoed around St James’ Park. The Brazilian – who was sporting his new bleach blonde hair – was back to his best and lapping it up, scoring his first two goals of the season.
Sadly, he was forced off moments later with what’s hoped is only cramp, but that didn’t stop us from scoring two more in the final 10 minutes as the likes of Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin made an impact from the bench; which was refreshingly strong today.
Miguel Almiron then scored his third goal in the space of a week, capitalising on another awful pass out from the back by rounding Raya and slotting home to make it four, with our fifth coming from a vicious Joelinton cross that was turned into the Brentford net by Ethan Pinnock.
STARTING XI: Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Murphy.
SUBS: Karius, Lascelles, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin, Lewis, Targett, Wood, Fraser, Anderson.
Next up, Man Utd at Old Trafford a week tomorrow.
HWTL!
Sharpy: I know this is not the same Man U and Ten Hag needs time but I still can’t get the past of my head. We have won twice at Old Trafford in the last 50 years, almost as long as I have been alive and I even think we had a black and white telly back then 🙂
I actually think we have a better team, but, as I said, Ronaldo still scares me. I hope ASM is fit as he could rip Dalot a new one and you have to worry for Fat Boy Shaw if Miggy keeps up his recent form. That boy couldn’t catch a cold! How the hell he is England left back I will never know.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BTW, I dont have anything against fat people, I just dont think they should be footballers or Refs. You could see that Mike Dean and Jon Moss could not keep up with play and that had to have something to do with their spare tyres.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I watched a couple of NUFC youtube previews and the latest thing seems to be to knock Dan Burn. What BDB have you been watching? He hardly puts a foot wrong and when he is beaten for pace he recovers and makes a great sliding tackle. It seems to me that NUFC “fans” always need someone to pick on. I think it is a toss up at CB between Schar and BDB, but that is a good problem to have and you want cover.
My only problem with Burn is from our corners. He should be winning the ball and getting at least 1 header on target per game. But Schar and Botman are the same. They need to work on this in training.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Would you rather have BDB or Harry McGuire? Remember when he moved to Man U he was the most expensive defender in history. I think Ten Hag might want him out along with Ronaldo because he wants HIS team. But McGuire must be on massive wages, so where would he go? I dont think anybody would buy him so it is a loan with Man U paying half his wages.
I dont think I have seen a player fall from grace like McGuire except when it has been aging or injuries catching up with them. I think England and PL fans are now against him. They have turned. he was once given the benefit of the doubt and is now the subject of almost ridicule.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The England fans even booed McGuire.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And watching a couple of the youtube previews it is quite funny that they all WANT McGuire in the Man U team for Sunday 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The rugby World Cup is kicking off today at SJP. It’s really putting the Toon in the spotlight. We are hosting 4 games at SJP and I think, 3 At Kingston Park… England vs Samoa this afternoon on TV.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And I finally feel confident that we have a team that could give manure a tough match. Wish it was on tv though. I hate watching on my iPad on a dodgy stream.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We have seven games until the world cup break.
I would expect at least 4 wins, and I would hope we can go unbeaten
Always the optimist
Would be nice to head off with 30 pts on the board.
Would certainly make the January window more attractive for our targets
PremAndUp(Quote)
It doesn’t make sense that you cannot see it. We are the featured match over here at 8am, but I can also watch replays of every single match this weekend on my 50 inch TV. There is also a live televised “Fan Fest” in Philly where they will have 10s of thousands of supporters of PL clubs turn up for like a giant two day tail gate party. Food, fun, ex-players. Shearer was at the last one. Put him in an environment where he feels comfortable and he is actually less cardboardy and quite fun.
Anyway, I think the PL and UK TV Co.s are way behind the times.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I want 4 points from the next 2 games. Spurs is a cra@pshoot as they seem to have had our number even under Eddie.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I really hate to say it but my gut tells me it will be a draw at Man U. Then a win at home to Everton and I have no clue about Spurs. We should have Isak and ASM back for Spurs so will have a lot of options.
I would play ASM tomorrow. Dalot is cr@p and I think Maxi would torture him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I agree Play the same team as before with ASM for Murphy and possibly Targett for BDB overloading the utd right
PremAndUp(Quote)
Cannot disagree with that. But if we go with the same team as last time I’m also ok with that.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yep agree mate
kimtoon(Quote)
Games not on tv which is odd you would think one of them would of fancied Manure v toon wouldn’t you.
Our game v Everton on weds is on Amazon prime though.
kimtoon(Quote)
That really pi.sses me off Kim, it’s a huge game for both sides and not in a blackout time. They could easily have shown it live… gutted. Everywhere else in the world they get to watch every match. Just not here. In Dubai I never missed a game with Bein Sports.
Gilly Toon(Quote)