Newcastle United vs Brentford. Premier League.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance51,670.
Match report as Callum Wilson's penalty secures a 1-0 win for Newcastle against Brentford at St James' Park; Wilson converted coolly after Brentford's Mark Flekken had fouled Anthony Gordon; victory puts Toon 11th, behind Bees in 10th
Sunday 17 September 2023 10:08, UK
Eddie Howe hailed a "massive three points" for Newcastle as Callum Wilson's second-half penalty secured a 1-0 victory against Brentford and ended a three-game losing streak.
In a scrappy encounter at St James' Park, Wilson converted his spot-kick emphatically after Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken had charged off his line and clumsily fouled Anthony Gordon.
Brentford, unbeaten in their previous four games, were unable to muster a response, with Thomas Frank later insisting the decision to award Newcastle's penalty was "wrong", and that the atmosphere at St James' Park "affects decisions".
For Newcastle, the narrow victory, following losses to Brighton, Liverpool and Manchester City, provides a timely boost ahead of their Champions League opener against AC Milan on Tuesday.
"It wasn't a fantastic performance from us but it was a gritty and determined one," Howe told Sky Sports afterwards.
"It was one that showed a response, especially from the Brighton performance. It's a clean sheet and a massive three points for us, and now we can look forward."
Howe made five changes from the team beaten by Brighton before the international break but there was no immediate evidence of a reaction, with Newcastle again lacking fluency early on.
Instead, Brentford looked the more threatening side, with Aaron Hickey forcing a save from Nick Pope with an angled shot and Yoann Wissa missing an excellent chance when he failed to connect with a teasing Mathias Jensen cross at the far post.
Newcastle soon began to improve, however, and should have opened the scoring when Bruno Guimaraes met a Fabian Schar flick-on a few yards out following a corner, only for Flekken to make a smart reaction save with his feet.
Brentford saw Henry hobble off with his knee injury shortly before half-time and Newcastle's improvement continued after the break.
Wilson, starting ahead of Alexander Isak for the first time this season, saw a close-range goal harshly disallowed by VAR after he was adjudged to have obstructed Flekken, but his winner arrived only a few minutes later.
Flekken again found himself in the spotlight as his needless foul on Gordon near the byline saw referee Craig Pawson point to the spot, with VAR this time upholding his decision.
Newcastle thought they had another penalty when Bryan Mbeumo handled following an aerial challenge with Harvey Barnes, but VAR again intervened, overruling Pawson because the ball hit the Brentford forward's head before coming down onto his hand.
Brentford rarely threatened to pull themselves level in the closing stages, but did have one opportunity when Wissa again failed to convert from close range from another Jensen delivery, steering the ball wide when he should have hit the target.
The final whistle was greeted with huge cheers inside St James' Park as the Magpies, although not at their fluent best, celebrated a morale-boosting win ahead of their midweek trip to Italy.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: "I think there was a lot of relief in our emotions at the end.
"It wasn't a fantastic performance from us but it was a gritty and determined one. It was one that showed a response, especially from the Brighton performance. It's a clean sheet and a massive three points for us and now we can look forward.
"At any club you can't lose games on a consistent basis. That can't become a habit. We were determined to bounce back from the three defeats.
"Today was a really tricky one for us. Brentford are a really good team. We stayed in the game, didn't concede and second half we were much better."
On whether Tuesday's trip to Milan influence his team selection, he said: "It was all about [Saturday's] game. It was a difficult team to pick because a lot of players had gone away on international duty.
"The players who stayed, like Harvey Barnes and Sean Longstaff, trained really well, hence why they got the nod. I thought they deserved their chance.
"I haven't talked about Milan at all. I don't think anyone from the coaching staff has. It's all been about Brentford. If anyone was half-looking at Tuesday night, we were going to lose that game tonight [Saturday]. So, really pleased with the focus.
"I think my mindset is to try and win every game. Whether that's in the Premier League, the Champions League, the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup, they're all important.
"There's no preference to any competition, and in my mind the league form is so important. You're judged over 38 games."
Brentford's Thomas Frank said: "Normally, I would never complain about penalties but this time I think it was the wrong decision.
"It's because it's an on-field decision. If they hadn't, VAR would never have overturned that one.
"We were told when it happened to Kevin Schade against Tottenham in a similar situation with the 'keeper coming out and he makes contact with the player but he's pulling out just before, then it shouldn't be a penalty.
"I'm sure when the panel of referees looks at it Howard Webb will say sorry - that'll be even more frustrating.
"Of course we all do our best, I demand big character from my players and they showed it. I also demand big character from the refs. This is a fantastic home ground and atmosphere but it does affect decisions."
On his side's performance, he added: "I would say I think we played a very good game. Everyone knows it's difficult to come here.
"The way we performed was very impressive, it was an even game where we could have won it. That's why it's frustrating to stand here with it decided by a decision I think is wrong."
After two goals in three substitute appearances, Callum Wilson made the most of his first starting opportunity of the season against Brentford, scoring from the penalty spot and seeing another goal harshly ruled out as Newcastle claimed a much-needed win.
It was just the latest reminder of the striker's efficiency in front of goal. Wilson has now scored 11 consecutive penalties and is averaging a goal every 62 minutes in the Premier League this season.
It is a small sample size, yes, but run it back to the start of last season and his record remains hugely impressive, with his 21 goals from 36 appearances coming at an average of every 99 minutes.
"It's about time I got a start," he joked to Sky Sports afterwards. "I've been waiting for the last four weeks.
"All you can do is do yourself justice. It's just about putting in a proper centre-forward's performance and helping the team get over the line because I think that's what we needed."
The fact Wilson played the full 90 minutes suggests it will be Alexander Isak who starts against AC Milan in Tuesday's Champions League opener. But if Newcastle need a goal, then this was a reminder of which player is most likely to produce it.
Nick Wright
Newcastle's next game is away to AC Milan on Tuesday as they make their long-awaited Champions League return - kick-off 5.45pm.
The Magpies then travel to Sheffield United as they return to Premier League action on September 24, live on Sky Sports' Super Sunday - kick-off 4.30pm.
Brentford's next outing is at home to Everton on Saturday, live on Sky Sports - kick-off 5.30pm. The Bees then host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on September 27 - kick-off 7.45pm.
