When Brentford scored it was all too predictable… | OneFootball

So it’s back-to-back 3-1 defeats in the capital and another poor performance, the game slipping away after an awful decision to award Brentford a 73rd minute penalty, which to add insult to injury, also saw Dan Burn receive his marching orders.

Quite why Burn was still on the pitch when he made contact with Dango Ouattara is up for debate, the boy from Blyth having a torrid afternoon against the boy from Bukina Faso.

Burn receiving a yellow card for a foul on the winger shortly after half-time, then lucky not to be sanctioned on the hour when the referee instead chose to book Ouattara for simulation, there being more contact on that occasion than when Stuart Atwell later pointed to the spot.

Whilst it had been a far from convincing performance, at 1-1 United were at least still in the game when the match turned.

After losing Joelinton on 24 minutes, Newcastle United adapted with Ramsey joining Guimaraes and Tonali in midfield and led at the interval thanks to a tremendous goal from Harvey Barnes, the winger turning Kayode and Yarmoliuk inside out before firing past Kelleher, Woltemade’s exquisite flick from Murphy’s cross presenting Barnes with the opportunity.

Brentford were physical and employed the long throw to good effect. When they equalised in the 56th minute, it was all too predictable.

Having had plenty of practice in the first half, Michael Kayode sent another exocet into the Newcastle six yard box. Not for the first time, Pope floundered and Botman provided the assist for Kevin Schade to steer his header home, but Tonali really should have done better, allowing the German too much time and space.

At that stage, the game was still there to be won and both sides went close, the Brazilian Thiago’s 66th minute volley was saved by Pope, whilst Harvey Barnes’ thirty yard effort two minutes later went just over the bar.

Then came the penalty.

Thiago turned Botman and swept the ball crossfield. As it fell to Ouattara, Burn didn’t appear to be in trouble but not the first time, was done for pace and conceded the spot-kick.

Before it was taken, the VAR check confirmed Atwell’s on-field decision.

Ramsdale replaced Pope, whose concussion after a heavy fall meant he couldn’t continue, with Ramsdale’s first touch being to retrieve the ball from the back of the net, Thiago comfortably converting.

Elanga, Willock and Hall also entered the fray but to no avail, the only highlight being when Elanga nearly connected with Hall’s 87th minute cross.

Tired legs and the extra man meant Brentford easily managed the eleven minutes of added time, during which Thiago added a third and by the time Lewis Miley replaced a forlorn looking Bruno Guimaraes, United had lost for the fifth time this season in the Premier League and are now without a PL win on the road since April.

The international break may or may not do United a favour.

Eddie Howe needs time on the training ground but with United competing on all fronts and key players away, that is a luxury right now.

Brentford 3 Newcastle 1 – Sunday 9 November 2025 2pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Barnes 27, Burn red card 73

Brentford:

Schade 56, Thiago 78 pen, 90+5

Possession was Newcastle 51% Brentford 49%

Total shots were Newcastle 5 Brentford 15

Shots on target were Newcastle 1 Brentford 7

Corners were Newcastle 2 Brentford 6

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 16 Brentford 35

Newcastle team v Brentford:

Pope (Ramsdale 77), Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno (Miley 96), Joelinton (Ramsey 24), Tonali (Willock 77), Murphy (Elanga 77), Woltemade, Barnes (Hall 77)