Brentford vs Newcastle: Keith Andrews’ Meteoric Rise Continues
Brentford Shock Newcastle as Keith Andrews’ Meteoric Rise Continues
Brentford vs Newcastle delivered one of the most dramatic Premier League stories of the weekend.
Is it too early to talk about Keith Andrews as a serious Manager of the Season contender?
What initially looked like a risky decision by Brentford following Thomas Frank’s exit is rapidly turning into one of the shrewdest appointments in recent Premier League memory. Andrews has now guided the Bees to four wins in their last six league games — the latest a thrilling late comeback at St James’ Park that has left Eddie Howe and Newcastle facing increasingly uncomfortable questions.
Standout performances from Dango Ouattara and Keane Lewis-Potter underlined Brentford’s growing credentials as genuine European contenders, lifting them to seventh in the table. Newcastle, meanwhile, remain in freefall, with just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions and four defeats in their previous five.
Brentford’s first league victory at St James’ Park since 1934 sent the Magpies sliding to 12th place, making chief executive David Hopkinson’s recent claim that the Saudi-backed club could win the Premier League by 2030 feel increasingly detached from present reality.
Brentford vs Newcastle: Pressure Rising on Howe as Belief Grows
Tuesday’s trip to Tottenham has suddenly become a pivotal fixture for Eddie Howe. While his position remains more secure than Frank’s ever was at Brentford, any realistic hope Newcastle had of qualifying for next season’s Champions League via the league now appears effectively over.
More than 45 minutes after full-time, Howe was still locked inside the dressing room with his players, a telling indication of the gravity of the situation.
Brentford’s victory did not come without drama. Ouattara’s 85th-minute winner capped a comeback that began amid controversy. Early in the match, Kieran Trippier appeared to pull Keane Lewis-Potter to the ground inside the penalty area, with a strong case for both a penalty and a red card. Neither was awarded, leaving the Brentford bench incensed.
Tactical Switch Changes Everything
Despite looking shaky in possession, Newcastle took the lead when Bruno Guimarães, returning from an ankle injury, delivered a dangerous corner that Sven Botman met with a subtle glancing header. It was the first league goal Brentford had conceded from a corner since August, a lapse that visibly frustrated Andrews, formerly the club’s set-piece specialist.
Newcastle nearly doubled their advantage before the break, but a goal-bound effort involving former Brentford forward Yoane Wissa was scrambled off the line. That moment appeared to jolt the visitors into life, with their counter-attacking threat growing increasingly pronounced.
Andrews’ Decisive Adjustment
The turning point in the Brentford vs Newcastle contest came when Andrews instructed Ouattara and Lewis-Potter to swap flanks, immediately unsettling Newcastle’s defensive structure. The equaliser followed soon after, as Vitaly Janelt advanced unmarked from midfield to powerfully head in Ouattara’s excellent cross.
Brentford then edged ahead following another lengthy VAR check. Mathias Jensen’s effort struck Jacob Murphy’s arm and, after review, a penalty was awarded. Igor Thiago stepped up and calmly sent Nick Pope the wrong way.
Howe responded at the interval by introducing Anthony Elanga and Nick Woltemade, shifting to a more open and fluid system. Yet Brentford’s defensive shape remained disciplined, while Ouattara continued to torment Trippier down the left.
Newcastle were handed a brief lifeline when VAR awarded a penalty of their own, with Michael Kayode penalised for tripping Guimarães. Bruno converted confidently to make it 2–2 and momentarily lift the home crowd.
That optimism proved short-lived. Brentford struck swiftly on the counter, Jensen releasing Ouattara, who showed admirable composure to slide the ball between Pope’s legs and seal a memorable 3–2 victory.
As the final whistle sounded, boos echoed around St James’ Park while Newcastle’s players trudged off. In the away end, and within the Brentford camp, confidence within the group is rising fast.
What once appeared a gamble on an unproven head coach is rapidly developing into one of the most compelling managerial success stories of the Premier League season.
