So it’s back-to-back 3-1 defeats in the capital and another poor performance, with the game slipping away after a terrible decision to award Brentford a penalty in the 73rd minute, adding insult to injury and Dan Burn also receiving his marching orders.
Why Burn was still on the pitch when he made contact with Dango Ouattara is up for debate; the boy from Blyth has a torrid afternoon against the boy from Bukina Faso.
Burn was shown a yellow card shortly after half-time for a foul on the winger and was fortunate not to receive a penalty at the hour when the referee chose to book Ouattara for simulation. There was more contact on that occasion than when Stuart Atwell later pointed to the spot.
Although it was far from convincing, at 1-1 United were at least still in the game when the match turned.
After losing Joelinton after 24 minutes, Newcastle United adapted, with Ramsey joining Guimaraes and Tonali in midfield to take the lead at the break thanks to a superb goal from Harvey Barnes, the winger turning Kayode and Yarmoliuk inside out before firing past Kelleher, Woltemade’s superb flick from Murphy’s cross setting up Barnes the opportunity.
Brentford were physical and used the long throw to good effect. When they equalized in the 56th minute, it was all too predictable.
After plenty of practice in the first half, Michael Kayode sent another exocet into the Newcastle six-yard box. Not for the first time, Pope struggled and Botman provided the assist for Kevin Schade to send in his header, but Tonali should actually have done better, giving the German too much time and space.
At that stage the game was still winnable and both sides were close. Brazilian Thiago’s volley in the 66th minute was saved by Pope, while Harvey Barnes’ effort went just over the crossbar two minutes later.
Then came the penalty.
Thiago turned Botman and swept the ball across the field. When it fell to Ouattara, Burn didn’t seem to be in trouble, but not for the first time. He was done with his pace and conceded the penalty.
Before it was carried out, the VAR check confirmed Atwell’s decision on the pitch.
Ramsdale replaced Pope, whose concussion after a heavy fall meant he could not continue, with Ramsdale’s first touch retrieving the ball from the back of the net, with Thiago converting comfortably.
Elanga, Willock and Hall also joined the battle, but to no avail. The only highlight came when Elanga almost connected with Hall’s cross in the 87th minute.
Tired legs and the extra man allowed Brentford to easily hold on for 11 minutes of extra time, with Thiago adding a third and by the time Lewis Miley replaced the desperate-looking Bruno Guimaraes, United had lost for the fifth time in the Premier League this season and are now without a PL win since April.
The international breakthrough may or may not please United.
Eddie Howe needs time on the training pitch, but with United competing on all fronts and key players gone, that is a luxury at the moment.
Brentford 3 Newcastle 1 – Sunday 9 November 2025 2pm
Match statistics
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Barnes 27, red card 73
Brentford:
Damage 56, Thiago 78 pen, 90+5
Possess 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 vs Brentford:
Pope (Ramsdale 77), Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno (Miley 96), Joelinton (Ramsey 24), Tonali (Willock 77), Murphy (Elanga 77), Woltemade, Barnes (Hal 77)
subtitles:
Ramsdale, Schar, Lascelles, Krafth
#Brentford #scored #predictable..