Newcastle United locked horns with Brentford in the EFL Cup today and enjoyed the perfect start as they took the lead within the opening minutes.
After losing to the Bees days ago, the Magpies were desperate to secure a result. The loss to Brentford was their fourth game without a win.
They ended that poor run with a 4-0 thumping of Leicester City, but the League Cup is an opportunity for the Geordies to bring a trophy back to St. James’ Park for the first time since 1955.
Newcastle got off to an excellent start when a mindless Nathan Collins clearance fell to Sandro Tonali, who arrowed in a hit from around 25 yards.
The goal had everything and wowed former Newcastle winger Chris Waddle. The former England international enthused (via theBBC): “That is a quality strike from Sandro Tonali. It comes to him with a lot of pace, and his technique is fantastic. The goalkeeper is not saving that in a million years.”
Tonali was unplayable for the Toons and added a second. His volley beat Mark Flekken and gave Newcastle breathing space. The Italian international enjoyed a fantastic outing in the Newcastle midfield in the first-half, completing 73/80 (91%) passes and four out of five long balls while winning four of his seven duels.
Tonali’s brace follows an equally fantastic outing against Leicester City over the weekend and the fans will pray he keeps up this rich vein of form.
Alexander Isak was tormenting the Brentford defence. They did not have plenty of pace in the rearguard, and the Swede capitalised with his movement and dribbling.
After losing the 2022/23 final to Manchester United, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will feel he has unfinished business in this competition. His resume is crying out for a trophy, and this is an opportunity to establish himself as one of the better managers in the English top flight.