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Newcastle United 2-1 Brentford - Immediate Match Reaction!
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Newcastle United beat Brentford 2-1 at St James Park thanks to goals from Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak. Michael goes through the game and gives his thoughts on a tough victory and that strike from Tonali.
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Transcript
Introduction and Schedule Apology
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
welcome back to the Daily Newcastle Podcast. My name is Michael Grahamslow and I'm here after Newcastle United's 2-1 victory at St James' Park against Brentford on Wednesday, April 2nd.
00:00:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm here to give my immediate thoughts in what is... episode 150 of the daily newcastle podcast now i am on my own today unfortunately um you know we just haven't been able to get an immediate reaction from everyone i'm the only one available so what we're going to do is we're going to quickly speak about the first half the second half i give my overall thoughts and we'll just summarize um how the table looks at the end of the day but firstly i'm I do want to apologise for the lack of an episode yesterday.
00:00:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
As mentioned in the last episode with Ian and myself, we had reached out to to the Brentford team about a crossover episode, but unfortunately timings just didn't align. And yeah, these things happen, but i just wanted to provide sort of an understanding because we did promise one that would go out on the Wednesday just beforehand, but instead you had to settle for the Newcastle United win.
00:01:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... We'll get to that.
Unexpected Line-ups and First Half Energy
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
In the lead-up to the game, as you would have heard, you know we were all very confident about Newcastle um getting the win. And when the line-ups were announced, yeah there wasn't really any surprises on the Newcastle side.
00:01:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
For Brentford, I was so surprised to see Yeho Yemiluk in midfield for the Bees instead of Mikael Damsgaard, who, in my opinion, is one of their best players. And when he came on today, he made a real difference.
00:01:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So probably a bit of relief. ah that the Dane didn't start, but maybe had a knock, something like that. But again, the the other midfielder, he'd started both games against Newcastle this season. He looked decent in those games. So, you know, still a good player, good young player. But before the game...
Historical Context and Early Game Developments
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the stats of Newcastle had beaten... Scored at least two of the two goals in the last seven out of eight games against Brentford. There were over 2.5 goals and five out the last six. And we'd won six out the last seven. So you're immediately thinking, going into the game, okay, we could do something here. We should... we History says we're a bit of a bogey team for Brentford. But they did beat us 4-2 in the reverse fixture. So...
00:02:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was still a chance that the major hangover following the EFL Cup final would come to fruition. um But thankfully, as I'll get into, that didn't happen.
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, for starting with the first half... I thought from
High Energy, Low Precision Play
00:02:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
the first moment of the game, you could tell it was a game following a national break. You know, when things just don't seem to click, both teams had fantastic energy. And I think if you're a Brentford fan, they didn't do too much in the first half, but you can't fault the energy that the team had. And it was the same with Newcastle.
00:03:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Both players were, but well, both teams were battling, sorry, but they, Neither could really force something to happen in possession. And particularly in midfield, I thought force something is something that Newcastle tried to do far too much.
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bruno Gamares in particular, um where you can see when a player just he wants to make something happen. and he almost needs to make something happen and it felt like Bruno was a bit like that today passing just wasn't quite there coming back off the international break it happens all the time but Bruno didn't have a bad game but just that passing the start of the game was a little bit a little bit beyond his performance you couldn't fault the application but again
00:03:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
just wasn't good enough at certain points. But with that in mind, we did start the better team and it was a great play, a bit of play from Tino Livermento, beats his man, gets the byline, crosses in and alex Alexander Izzak had just headed wide, lot of pressure at the back post.
00:04:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, I can't remember exactly who it was, um, that stopped him getting the free header. But again, Newcastle start the game really, really well. The bit of play from Tino Livermento.
00:04:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, And I will actually give props to ah the crowd. I don't usually do that. i Usually I'm very critical um of the crowd, particularly certain areas of it.
00:04:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the start the game, they match the energy of the players. And I do restrict that to the start of the game for certain reasons. um But start the game, couldn't fault anything in that stadium.
00:04:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Key battle... it was probably Livermanto versus Mbwemo. I thought Mbwemo got the better of Tino once, I think, um where the ball comes in over the top and he just out muscles him a little bit.
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But every other time the two came up against each other, Tino Livermanto was absolutely incredible. And it's a battle that Newcastle had to win to start get their authority on the game.
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Couldn't fault Tino at all. In fact, Since I said he probably wasn't a left-back about four games ago, just before the West Ham game, he's been faultless.
00:05:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I will criticise every player we have if that's what happens to them afterwards. i don't mind looking the idiot if that's how it comes out. um But Tino had played so well against Embuemo that Brentford started trying their luck a bit more with Kevin Sharder up against Kieran Trippier.
00:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Trippier, excellent defensively once again. And, you know, we laughed at the start of the season when ah Kev said Trippier might be Newcastle's player of the season. and I'm not laughing now.
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll tell you that because he was excellent. He was excellent against Liverpool. And it might come a bit too late for that player of the season shout, but he was so, so good. And it's a relief that we didn't sell him in the summer or the winter before.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But hindsight's a beautiful thing. I don't think anyone saw that coming. And you can't criticise people who thought the £10 million might have been better in Newcastle's pockets with the PSR claims. I was 50-50 myself, but I'm so glad that he has stayed.
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then in the middle of the game...
First Half Conclusion: Newcastle Leads
00:06:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
was a bit of a seesaw, wasn't it? A bit pinball. Both teams had great energy, but they just couldn't get the final ball right, as I've mentioned. um We had the better chances. Joe Linton fired just wide. Isaac, it's not even ah ah half a half chance if it's any striker but alex Alexander Isaac.
00:06:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Murphy gets the ball to him. He knocks it onto his right and it just fires over the bar. And then, It's probably the last two minutes of the half that really brings some life into the game.
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Firstly, for the first five minutes, Newcastle get the ball down, slow the tempo. I don't know about anyone else, but I was sitting there for the majority of that first half thinking, slow it down.
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're a better team on the ball than Brentford. They're going to press us, yes, but we can very, very easily just sort of slow the game down and bring them on to us. And then that's when we'll start finding space for Bruno, etc.
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's exactly what happened. Howe noticed it and it worked incredibly well at the ah end of the first half. Now, obviously, it is easier to say than to do. If not, I'd be a footballer myself and not a fat guy on a podcast.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I digress. A long ball goes forward and you think, oh, what a waste from Fabian Shaw. But Azak's presence is enough to put Ethan Pinnock off.
00:07:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and then Newcastle have a 2v1. Pinnock tries to get back to make it a 2v2, but for me, alex Alexander Izak on this occasion makes the wrong choice. and He has so much time to make the right choice, and realistically, in any other game, Izak probably beat his man, puts it in the top corner, I'm sitting here going, what a goal by alex Alexander Izak, but Harvey Barnes is free.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
on the other side of the box and a simple ball across leaves bonds one on one with the goalkeeper. And it's probably one nil. Um, maybe I'm being too critical.
00:08:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, let me know what your thoughts are on that. Um, because maybe I'm just being too critical of the man who I think is the best striker in the league. Um, I probably wouldn't have the same thoughts if it was Callum Wilson, maybe.
00:08:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, Alexander Isak just that one moment, maybe should have done a little bit better. But then it was almost it was almost deja vu. And I'm not talking about the club and Blythe.
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm talking deja vu of the cup final. And a minute after Newcastle have a goal disallowed, They go back up the pitch and they score with their next move.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And again, it's excellent play. Slower, more methodical passing. It opens up the Brentford back line because they're wanting to press. They're not the kind of team that are just going to let you have the ball.
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
They press and Bruno has the entirety of the St. James' Park midfield to find Jacob Murphy who whips the ball into the box.
00:09:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's ah it is a good ball. But there's a hint of good fortune there with Brian Mbwemo slips. And if you slip around Alexander Rezac, he's going to punish you. He hits the ball. It does hit off Mbwemo, but it goes into the back of the net.
00:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's Newcastle United 1-Brentford 0-0. And then it's half-time. And that's probably a good time to go into our only advert of this episode, shall I say, from Bionique.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent stuff. Thank you very much. So, that second half, am I right?
Second Half Dynamics and Brentford's Equalizer
00:10:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Originally, it kind of started out similarly to the first. a lot of energy, but the execution, yeah, it wasn't great.
00:10:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brentford were a lot more direct, which is, I don't know about anyone else, but it's what I expected from the outset. ah Then they bring on Mikael Damsgaard on the 58th minute, and that's when the game sort of changed. But before then,
00:11:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle have a good chance. Barnes finds Zizak. Barnes did very well. I thought he had a decent game as well. Not enough to probably displace Gordon for when Gordon's back, but solid enough to say, right, it's a good enough option we've got on reserve.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he finds Izak and Izak's first touch on this occasion wasn't great. The defender got back. And to be honest, Izak coming off a little bit later, know he picked up a knock in the moment we're about to talk about.
00:11:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But if he came into the game with a knock, it would explain a couple of things. um But ah maybe an average game from Izak, but he still gets a goal.
00:11:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is so important for strikers, even when they're not at their best, even if they're just OK, they get themselves on the score sheet. And it ends up being a very important goal in a very tight game.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the moment of the game comes, let's start with Jacob Murphy again, really, winning the ball high up the pitch. And he has a decent amount of time to play the ball to Isaac, who's on the edge of the box. And you think, first time alex Alexander Isaacs, he's going to take strike. going to curl into the corner.
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle are going to be 2-0 up. And we're all going to be singing on Tyneside. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen. um Murphy dawdles on the ball a little bit, ends up losing it. um And again, Murphy, usually quite decisive.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So can't complain too much about that particular moment. And there is two, three minutes, probably more two, I'm exaggerating a little bit with three, um where Brentford have the ball...
00:12:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We almost win it back, but then they recycle it and go again. um before and Brian Mbuemo puts a good ball into Johan Wisser, it has to be said, but Wisser isn't going anywhere.
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
and He does really well to draw contact from Nick Pope and win the penalty. It is silly from Pope. And you think after, you know, the heroics against ah Liverpool with the Curtis Jones save, you think, oh, maybe, just maybe, he's going to get his name back in lights. But again, another negative for Nick Pope in the Premier League.
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Brentford get the penalty, it's deserved penalty, and Boehm will convert it, and you're thinking, please, please do not concede again, because if we do, we're going to really, really struggle to come back at this point.
00:13:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And... Well, surprise, surprise, we nearly do. um A long throw leads to some confusion in the box. A great ball's floated in. Ethan Pinnock's there on the six-yard box, almost unmarked. um Really poor defending on our side.
00:13:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
A little bit of confusion for on the throw, so we'll put it down to that. And Ethan Pinnock tries to head of back where it comes from. He does almost too good of a job and it hits the post.
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
A little bit of good fortune for the Magpies. The second bit of good fortune in the game. um
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Admittedly, Brentford were probably the better team up until... Do we call it a freak moment?
00:14:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or just a truly bizarre goal?
Tenali's Goal and Match Controversies
00:14:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm going to ask you now... Did he mean it? Sandro Tenali scored one of from one of the sweetest strikes of a football I've ever seen.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
He does really well to win the throwing. Newcastle work it back. Little triangle. Gets Tenali in space. And he head down... flashes the ball into the roof of the net from a couple of yards away from the corner flag.
00:14:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And was it a cross? Was it a shot? At the end of the day, it doesn't matter because it won Newcastle the game. And Sandro, of course, he'll say it was a shot.
00:15:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm not 100% sure it wasn't a cross. But i'd love to get I'd love to hear what you think. um And then...
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want to say controversial moment. um Maybe I'm looking too much into this, um but the referee stops play for a clash of heads before Bruno Goumanis is clearly fouled in the box.
00:15:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It's clash of heads between Joe Willock and Nathan Collins. And to be honest, it's a tough watch. Both players seemed okay. But if the referee blows his whistle three seconds later, Newcastle United get a penalty because it's clear as day.
00:15:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bruno goes up for the header and the hands are just out. It's a clear as day push. And they're giving us penalties these days. so Now, it's an unfortunate moment for the Magpies, but by the letter of the law,
00:16:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is the right decision. And to be honest, player safety is always going to come first. And if every referee is that quick to respond to those incidents, I'm more than happy.
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It didn't end up costing us. But even if it did, ah the safety of Joe Willick and Nathan Collins come first. But I am very glad it didn't cost us the game.
00:16:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brentford admittedly ended the game quite strong, but I don't think there were any incidents that caused us any major problems until probably the 93rd minute. There was eight added on.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brentford have a great chance to get back in the game. um Ball comes in. It's basically behind everyone except Damsgaard, who his first touch is incredible. just get hits it um knocks it with his foot.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, he's a footballer. But he knocks it b just out of Burns' grasp and then strikes it very sweetly. just gets under it slightly and it goes over the bar. Um...
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he was absolutely brilliant when he came on Dam's guard. And then followed from the following goal kick from Nick Pope, Brentford win the ball back up high, a bit of pinball.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
The same player puts a great ball into Kevin Shard and Pope pulls off a decent save that ends up giving Newcastle the three points. Um... In the last seconds, there was maybe another bit of controversy.
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
As a Newcastle fan, I'm probably a bit biased, but I do think the right decision was made. Bruno Gamares goes into a 50-50 with Damsgaard. He gets the ball just.
00:17:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
He gets to the ball before Damsgaard, but he does catch Damsgaard with his studs. And you have seen them giving. I don't think the right decision would have been to give it.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you do sometimes see them giving. I think the fact that Bruno got the ball first is why it wasn't. And I think the fact that you see Dam's God stop wincing and crying on the floor as soon as he sees Newcastle are breaking down the wing probably tells you the full story.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that's that. Newcastle United pick up a hard-fought but excellent three points against a Brentford side that have won their last five away games. They're a good team away from home at the moment.
00:18:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it kind of did does just show that the fixtures at start the season when they won at home, now they're getting them back, playing the same teams away. And, you know, it it evens itself out. um But ah touch of good fortune for Newcastle. You probably couldn't have argued whether Brentford ah does it get in the draw.
00:18:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the NUFC took all three points in what, to be honest, was a thoroughly enjoyable game. I always enjoy when Brentford come to St. James' Park or we play Brentford, whether that's because we tend to get the result or just because I like the way Thomas Frank sets up his sides.
00:18:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll leave that one to you.
00:18:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then for the man of the match, it's a difficult one because I think there's three or four players who could have easily picked it up today. But I do have to go with Kieran Trippier.
00:19:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's been an absolute colossus since Lewis Hall picked up his injury. He has stepped up like a true leader in recent games and none more so today where he had more touches of the ball than anybody on the pitch.
00:19:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
He had eight one-on-one duels and he won every single one of them. And it was a truly excellent performance from Trippier. Again, i mentioned earlier, we were thinking about selling him last season.
00:19:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am so glad we didn't. Maybe would have replaced him and maybe the player that replaced him would have gone on to do just as well. But you never know. And I'm very, very happy that we've kept Kieran Trippier.
Impact of Other Matches on Newcastle's Standings
00:19:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then elsewhere, i guess Newcastle wasn't the only game that was going on. Villa picked up a extremely impressive victory at the Amex, beating Brighton 2-0. Rashford Asensio scored again. And the reason I mention that is because rumour has it, well, Newcastle have been linked to both players in the past, and there's a rumour that Villa won't be able to sign both players in the summer.
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Newcastle fans... Do you think Newcastle should try and sign one of the two players? If so, who? Because i think both, there's an argument for both 100%, and both are very excellent players.
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let me know your thoughts. Otherwise, Manchester City beat Leicester, pretty much as expected. Bournemouth, one of probably our biggest rivals um for top four, top five, whatever it is that we end up fighting for.
00:20:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
They suffered a shock defeat to Ipswich Town at the Vitality. And then Southampton.
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Does anyone else want Southampton to end up with less points than Derby? Just so people talk ah less talk less or stop talking about the fact that the only team Derby beat was Newcastle. Curse you, Kenny Miller.
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Southampton hearts were broken once again as Palace scored an injury time to deny them just their third win of the season. So after all that, Newcastle move up to fifth. Chelsea can go ahead of us if they beat Tottenham tomorrow night.
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But after another tough game, Newcastle edge closer to the Champions League with another fantastic three points at St James' Park.
Podcast Conclusion and Upcoming Episode Preview
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's all from me. I do hope that you're not incredibly tired of hearing my voice.
00:21:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in the next episode, you'll be lucky you'll be happy to hear it won't be my voice. It'll be the lovely tones of Joe and Nick in our crossover episode with Leicester City.
00:21:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully, they have a better look organizing a crossover than I did. But I did my best. We've got a reaction podcast out now. And I am off to bed.
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Happy as it could be. So for now, we'll see you next time.