Newcastle United are searching for answers in November 2025 following a humiliating defeat to Brentford.
The Magpies are in a bad place right now, sitting two points above the Premier League’s relegation zone. They have lost three away games in a row, with Newcastle United losing 3-1 to Brentford on Sunday.
It was another catastrophic performance from Eddie Howe’s side, who looked no different to 11 months ago when they lost the same fixture.
Newcastle United squad after losing to Brentford in December 2024.
Photo by Stephanie Meek – CameraSport via Getty Images
Newcastle United bounced back from Brentford disaster in 2024
In December 2024, Newcastle United lost 4-2 to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. A disgraceful second half performance saw them slump to a worrying defeat, as Eddie Howe’s side failed to turn up against one of the Premier League’s so-called lesser sides.
Just days earlier, Newcastle United had drawn 3-3 with Liverpool. They went toe-to-toe with the eventual Premier League winners, and really should have been victorious.
On the grand stage, they performed. They would have been a match for any team that night inside St James’ Park, which made their performance against Brentford just days later all the more infuriating.
After the defeat, Alan Shearer slammed the Newcastle United squad for only being motivated for the big games.
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“I don’t like the attitude of several of the Newcastle players,” he said on Match Of The Day.
“You can’t just turn up in the big home games. They drew with Liverpool, they drew with City. They beat Spurs, they beat Chelsea, they beat Arsenal.
“This is exactly what I mean, they were dreadful defensively.”
What came next was a nine-game winning run that propelled the Magpies back on track, as they went on to enjoy their best season ever. They won the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League, which will once again be Eddie Howe’s aim.
However, there is a key reason why Newcastle will struggle to replicate that incredible run that followed last season’s desperate away defeat to Brentford.
Newcastle United face daunting Manchester City challenge next
That reason is the fixture list.
Immediately after Newcastle’s 2024 defeat to Brentford, they entertained relegation-certainties Leicester City at St James’ Park. It was the exact type of fixture they needed to bounce back and kickstart a season-defining run.
In 2025, they follow their Brentford loss by taking on Manchester City at home. Pep Guardiola’s side head to Tyneside immediately after the international break, and they will arrive in fine form.
As Newcastle United were pondering their latest defeat, Manchester City were beating Liverpool 3-0. They were outstanding against the Premier League champions, establishing themselves as Arsenal’s strongest challenger for the title.
Erling Haaland continued his excellent form with his 14th league goal of the season, while Jeremy Doku hit heights he has never hit before in a Manchester City shirt.
In a game that Eddie Howe needs a response from his players in, they have the unenviable task of taking on a revitalised Manchester City side that are hungry for success after last season’s disappointment.