Bryan Mbeumo was among the goal scorers as Newcastle United beat Brentford at St James’ Park.
After two weeks of celebrations, Eddie Howe’s side were able to carry the momentum from their Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool into their first Premier League game as trophy winners.
Newcastle United beat Brentford thanks to a first-half strike from Alexander Isak and a wondergoal from midfield maestro Sandro Tonali.
Brentford did get themselves back into the game thanks to Bryan Mbeumo’s spot-kick just after the hour mark. It would turn out to be a mere consolation as Tonali found the back of the net from out wide just eight minutes later.
The game was an opportunity for Newcastle fans to see Mbeumo in action after reports during the January transfer window suggested that sporting director Paul Mitchell was interested in bringing the winger to Tyneside.
Newcastle see Mbeumo as their dream signing following a fantastic Premier League season, with the Cameroonian netting 16 times and bagging five assists.
Brentford will return to West London empty handed following the defeat, but Mbeumo has since made an interesting claim about the ground he could be playing in more regularly next season.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Bryan Mbeumo’s flattering St James’ Park statement
Mbeumo has had a torrid time on Tyneside this season.
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Despite scoring, the 25-year-old has left St James’ Park empty-handed on both visits to Newcastle, featuring in the Bees’ Carabao Cup quarter-final loss last December.
The defeat is also a blow to Brentford’s hopes of playing European football next season as results elsewhere also moved them further away from the top seven.
For Newcastle, they move up to fifth in the league table, just one point of Manchester City with a game in hand.
Speaking after the game, Mbeumo reflected on Brentford’s performance and subsequent defeat.
“It is a hard one tonight and we deserved more,” Mbeumo said (via BBC Sport)
“It was good performance but at the end it was not enough. I think we knew it was going to be a tough game against a very good side and at the end it was a bit frustrating. It is hard to take.
“We knew it is important to get the points away. It is always tough to come here. It is really tight and we are going to give it our best game by game and see where it takes us.”
How much Newcastle United must pay to sign Bryan Mbeumo
While he is frustrated not to pick up the win, Mbeumo’s performance against Newcastle was an audition for a potential move in the summer.
He may be even more frustrated to know that the ball came off him during Isak’s goal following a slip inside the six-yard box. Despite the unfortunate mishap, Mbeumo passed the test with flying colours and gave Newcastle fans something to be excited about ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, signing the winger will not be cheap after the season he has had. Reports suggest that Newcastle must pay £60m for Mbeumo, a fee that the Magpies should be able to afford this summer but not one the club will be happy to part with for one player.
Newcastle fans were impressed with Mbeumo on Wednesday night, and may soon be seeing him wearing the black and white stripes.