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Brentford boss Thomas Frank showed his class despite losing 2-1 to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Brentford were Newcastle’s first opponents since beating Premier League champions elect Liverpool 2-1 in the final at Wembley 17 days ago. The celebrations have been non-stop but Eddie Howe’s men managed to avoid a cup hangover by beating Frank’s side by the same scoreline at St James’ Park.
Alexander Isak scored his 24th goal of the campaign to open the scoring on the brink of half-time before the visitors equalised through Bryan Mbeumo’s penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after Nick Pope tripped Yoane Wissa in the area.
Ethan Pinnock saw a header hit the inside of the post before referee Peter Bankes waved away appeals for another penalty when Mikkel Damsgaard went to ground under a challenge from Bruno Guimaraes. But out of nowhere, Newcastle found a winner when Sandro Tonali’s cross-turned-shot caught out goalkeeper Mark Flekken at the near post.
Frank’s post-match press conference lasted just two minutes as he was only asked one question. As he got up to leave the room, the Dane joked there are “too many local journalists up here” before saying “congratulations on winning the cup, by the way.”
Thomas Frank’s assessment of Newcastle United 2-1 Brentford
Frank said: “I thought it was an even game between two good teams. It could have gone either way. We could easily have won it. We could also lose it, as we did. So that's why you feel you wanted at least something out of it.
“I'm pleased with the performance. Newcastle is a very difficult place to play, one of the most difficult away ground in the league, especially after their big win in the League Cup, which gave them a big boost and they're fighting for the Champions League spot.
“But I felt we kept Newcastle quiet in the first half more or less, except the first and last minute of the half. I think that was a brilliant away performance in the first half.
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“In the second half, we're coming back into the game. It was a great attack that won us the penalty. We're this close to scoring from Ethan’s header on the inside of the post. That can maybe decide the game. If you're up 2-1, there's still a few minutes left of the game.
“And then another marginal situation that went against us. The Tonali cross. I asked him if it was a cross, just had to be sure! And that's 1 in a million. That's happening.
“The performance was very good. If you want to win a game like this, you need, just like any game, but win a tight game against a good team, you need some of the margins to go your way.
“In the first goal, Brian slips. If he doesn't slip, he kicks the ball away in front of Isak. Ethan inside of the post. Tonali, one in a million cross going in the goal. And for me, the Damsgaard penalty. Unfortunately, we got on the wrong end of that, but the performance is very good.”
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