Of course, it was smashing to beat Leicester at the weekend with more than a touch of panache, but I think everyone shared a similar thought: this time, the promising result needed to snowball into a run of form that could course correct the season.
This was particularly relevant for this match, as recovery to a decent Premier League position is a long job and it has increasingly felt like this season could look towards the cups for salvation.
While there was optimism after Saturday, there were also warnings.
The awful performance at Brentford in the recent league game was still fresh in the memory and the timing of the game gave Newcastle United the opportunity to pull one of their favourite tricks: ruining Christmas. I’ve lost track of the times my jolly festive mood has been destroyed by some appalling results, shocking performances and ill-thought out away trips, always delivered just in time to sour the taste of your festive bake.
With this potential lifeline for the season occurring just seven days before Santa comes, it could prove just too deliciously tempting for United’s players to spend the day on the drink, or all send a lookalike to play the game for them, or whatever it was they did against West Ham.
Fortunately, the above did not happen. I realise squad management is part and parcel of the game, especially at Christmas, but if I check the team for Ipswich one hour and fifteen minutes before kick off and Sandro Tonali is sat on the bench, I am going to be a cross little bunny.
Having been doing exactly this when we wilted against the Bees last weekend, Tonali showed what was missing with an opening goal so incredibly lush, I am baffled as to why it hasn’t taken over the whole internet by now. Livramento went on a powerful run into the box and drove it into the centre where Collins half cleared, only to find Tonali lurking outside the box. The Italian smashed a first time effort that was drilled with perfection into the bottom corner. Belissimo. The outside of the foot strike was every bit as sweet as Kim Kardashian spraying champagne over her own bottom and deserved just as much online attention.
This felt like a real settler. Less than ten minutes in, United still looking in good nick and any plan Brentford might have had to keep it tight and pinch one, was out of the window. The attacking play was on point, with Gordon blasting over when looking well in behind the defence, but the game lost a bit of momentum when there was a stoppage after Joelinton got himself involved in a bit of a fracas. Yes, really, Joelinton in a fracas. Some kind of coming together off the ball led to Big Joe bleeding all over his nice special edition Sam Fender shirt, which he needed to replace before coming back onto the pitch screaming murder to himself, the world and those around him. Dan Burn gave him a little “calm down” signal and we all winced at the rare sight of a walking yellow card, while Brentford possibly looked at each other and decided they’d better stand down.
Joe would avoid the book by being replaced by Willock at half time and hopefully his latest suspension will be adequate healing time before his next yellow card vs Villa. By half time of course, we were cruising, after the excellent Tonali had doubled his tally. Having scored from two set plays against Leicester, United just went absolutely bonkers, only blimming doing it again! Gordon’s corner was met with a Sandro volley, this time just guiding it past Flekken having beaten Wissa to the ball. With a hat-trick looming, Eddie must have instantly considered taking him off as per his usual trick. Fortunately for Tonali, there was a rampaging lunatic with a cut lug ahead of him in the queue for tactical withdrawal.
This always felt comfortable but a third was always going to be nice to really settle things. United continued to press, with Gordon firing narrowly wide after cutting inside (he’s scoring one of them before the year’s out) and Murphy likewise after a fabulous little interchange with Bruno, whose cheeky backheel deserved to be an assist.
The third did arrive and, you’ll not believe this, it came from a corner as well. Everyone got excited as Tonali latched onto another half clearance for a hat-trick attempt, only for Mbuemo to block his shot and deflect it to Hall. He struck a fine effort that Flekken saved at full stretch, but could only parry to Bruno. With a very tight angle making scoring unlikely, the Brazilian kept his cool and squared it for Schar to tap in his fourth goal of the season.
As with Saturday, this afforded Howe the luxury of changing things up to keep the side fresh for Ipswich, as Isak, Gordon and Hall all got a chance at a bit of recovery. Also, as with Saturday, the chance was there for Will Osula to snatch his first Newcastle goal, but the tempo had slowed and Osula’s only involvement of note was an intercepted pass that allowed Mbeumo to break and play in Wissa for an injury time consolation for the visitors.
Disappointing not to keep a clean sheet I suppose, but no one in the stadium will have been too bothered as United progressed to their third league cup semi final, with Howe doubling the collective quarter final success rate of all the other managers of Newcastle ever.
The scores in the pub revealed a challenging line up, as Liverpool and Arsenal progressed, meaning the winner of the Spurs v Man Utd tie is likely the most appealing draw.
I feel we shouldn’t be deterred here, as the two-legged semi-final will come when these other sides have European distractions aplenty, as well as serious business at the top of the league for Liverpool and Arsenal. The Gunners and Man Utd even have each other in the FA Cup days after the first leg, so I’d give every chance to Newcastle’s first team against what will likely be under strength sides from our potential opponents. The key factor is getting the second leg at home and that’s what I’ll be hoping for as I sit on the edge of my seat at 10:30 tonight.
Now, if someone can use the comments section to tell me exactly when we should know the precise date of each leg after it has been drawn, as I’ve got hotels to book. Hopefully this will lead to plenty of us booking one in London for March 16th.
Newcastle United Team Dressing Room Celebration
Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Wednesday 18 December 7.45pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United :
Tonali 9, 43 Schar 69
Brentford:
Wissa 90+1
Possession was Newcastle 54% Brentford 46%
Total shots were Newcastle 23 Brentford 10
Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Brentford 3
Corners were Newcastle 8 Brentford 5
Touches in the box Newcastle 35 Brentford 23
Newcastle team v Brentford:
Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Trippier 77), Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 46), Murphy (Barnes 65), Isak (Osula 77), Gordon (Almiron 77)
Unused Subs:
Vlachodimos, Targett, Lewis Miley, Kelly
You can follow the author on BlueSky @bigjimwinsalot.bsky.social
(Two Newcastle United players pick up suspensions on Wednesday night – Harsh – Read HERE)
(Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports