Newcastle complete their job with 4-2 win against Brentford but their biggest game of the season is next weekend, writes CRAIG HOPE… (and they’re not even involved!)
The biggest game of Newcastle’s season will be played at Wembley next weekend. At the same time, Eddie Howe and his players will be flying home from a tour of Australia. What happens in the FA Cup final will determine whether they’ll be adding to their air miles come August.
Tyneside will be Sky Blue on Saturday in support of Manchester City. Should they lose to Manchester United, the cup winners will take Newcastle’s place in Europe. A City victory and the Conference League awaits for the Magpies.
That was not what they hoped for nor expected at the outset of this campaign. Back in August they were a Champions League club and sat top of the Premier league after a 5-1 demolition of Aston Villa on the opening day.
But continental football will nonetheless represent success after a season of turbulence – injuries, Sandro Tonali’s betting ban, injuries, devilish cup draws, injuries, VAR misfortune and then, to the very last, injuries.
Anthony Gordon was missing here because of injury for the first time in 51 matches, but he should be fine to take his place in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Bruno Guimaraes settled Newcastle nerves after a second-half fightback from Brentford as he scored the final goal in the Magpies’ 4-2 win to seal seventh place
Alexander Isak (left) had put Newcastle 3-0 up after a dominant first-half display
Isak also set up Jacob Murphy for Newcastle’s second as they built a convincing lead
Murphy was on hand to slide the ball past Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal
Harvey Barnes had got the ball rolling for Newcastle after coming in for the injured Anthony Gordon
The winger was not needed in the end, and the team-mate he pipped to the club’s player of the season prize, Alexander Isak, was the inspiration behind a 4-2 win that secured seventh position, finishing above Man United for the first time in the Premier League.
‘We want Europe, we want those extra games,’ said Howe. ‘Our aim has been to qualify for Europe all season and keep that adjustment you needed. It’s tough, it’s a big shift for the players.’
This felt like a stroll beneath the West London sun for Newcastle in the first half, only to be left sweating on the win they needed for a period in the second.
But the opening 45 minutes were easy, save for a scare inside 90 seconds when an Ivan Toney goal was ruled out for offside. The visitors led on 22 minutes when Harvey Barnes, the replacement for Gordon, turned in a close-range header from a delightful Bruno Guimaraes delivery.
Sublime assists were a recurring theme and Isak, having robbed Ethan Pinnock, swept across goal for Jacob Murphy to finish at the far post in the 36th minute. Isak was soon the scorer – less than two minutes later – when Guimaraes provided an incisive first-time pass and the Swede tucked into the bottom corner with equal haste.
‘Europe again, ole, ole, ole’ chorused the away end. Their travel plans were on hold when Brentford pulled two back, Vitaly Janelt turning in from a Yoane Wissa cross three minutes after the restart and the provider then curling in from 25 yards in the 70th minute.
In between there was a moment that would not have gone unnoticed by the watching Gareth Southgate, still searching for a third-choice goalkeeper. Nick Pope was recalled after five months out and he denied Toney with a flying save at the base of his post. There was an earlier stop with his feet from the same player that suggested Pope’s season may not end here.
Newcastle were able to breathe a little easier amid a stifling heat when Guimaraes followed up to force home the rebound after Isak’s free-kick was parried by Mark Flekken on 77 minutes. The Brazilian – linked with a move to champions Manchester City – unnerved fans when waving to them on full-time. Was it a goodbye?
Vitaly Janelt (left) pulled a goal back for Brentford early in the second half
The comeback looked to be on when Yoane Wissa fired home Brentford’s second goal
Newcastle managed to secure all three points in the end, and must now see how next weekend’s FA Cup final plays out to see if they make Europe again
Guimaraes has been linked with a move away this summer and waved to the travelling fans after full time, but Eddie Howe does not believe he was bidding farewell
‘I don’t think it’s a wave goodbye,’ said Howe. ‘I think Bruno does that. It can be interpreted that way for those watching. Certainly, from my side, I hope it’s not. He is integral to what we do and I’m desperate to keep him.’
What played out after Guimaraes’ goal was typical end-of-season fare, both teams accepting the result and avoiding an injury that could ruin their summer, be that on the beach or at a major tournament. It mattered not by then. What really matters for Newcastle now is what happens at Wembley.
