Eddie Howe's Magpies suffered a bruising 3-2 home defeat to Brentford
Newcastle United's Sven Botman shows his frustration after the 3-2 defeat to Brentford
Sven Botman shows his frustration after Newcastle's 3-2 defeat to Brentford(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcastle United had to take advantage of a rare home outing as they looked to close the gap in the race for European places. They didn't.
A 3-2 home defeat to Brentford was perhaps a new low point in a season which has seen one step forward accompanied too often by two steps back. United have had a tough run - they literally do not come much harder than PSG, Liverpool and Man City away - but the batteries seemed to have run out against the Bees.
Despite taking the lead, they were opened up by the visitors too many times, while offering very little threat at the other end. There were some positives, but not enough on a night when the fans made no secret of what they thought of the performance. Here are five things wer learned.
Transfer gamble already exposed
How much longer before Tino Livramento is fit? That's the question every Newcastle fan was asking after another worrying defensive performance, particularly down United's right flank. It's harsh to call out Kieran Trippier, especially after everything he has done for the club, but he even he might not have expected to be playing so many games at this stage.
Trippier at least fronted up after the game and insisted it was down to the player to turn things round, deflecting any blame from Eddie Howe, but surely the United head coach should have been given better tools to work with in the January window?
Newcastle were crying out for full-back cover, and that could end up costing them dear on this evidence. Don't even think about what could happen if Lewis Hall picks up an injury.
Murphy's scream of frustration
It wasn't a half to remember for Jacob Murphy, with the winger hooked at the break and harshly adjudged to have handled the ball to earn Brentford their penalty. In truth he offered little going forward, but one moment summed up the disconnect in the team right now.
Murphy chased a clearance down to put Bees keeper Caoimhin Kelleher under pressure, but turned to howl at the sky in frustration when he realised he was the only player to have chased the ball. Yoane Wissa was the nearest, still some 30 yards away, and Brentford easily dealt with the press. To make matters worse, the went straight up the pitch and Ouattara crossed for Yanelt to equalise.
Century up for Botman
It wasn't the result he would have wanted but the joy on Sven Botman's face was clear to see after he headed United into the lead on his 100th appearance for the club. It's taken a while to clock up the century after he played 44 times in his first season alone, but the Dutch defender is starting to show the consistency which made his such an important signing almost four years ago.
He kept Dan Burn out of the starting XI against Brentford, and Howe will hope he and Thiaw can offer some reliability at the back.
Elanga hope
It's easy to forget after the late winner, but United had looked a lot better in the second half, and that was largely thanks to the introduction of Anthony Elanga, He had only been on the pitch for a minute when he swung in a teasing cross that no one had anitcipated, and he remained a creative threat.
It was his cross that Bruno Guimaraes was fouled trying to reach to win the penalty, and while there needs to be more end product, it was a further sign that he may be finally getting to grips with his role. Certainly he did enough to start at Tottenham on Tuesday night.
Osula dilemma
It feels like an age since Will Osula scored that equaliser against Liverpool back in August, but injury has meant the young Dane has not been able to kick on this season.
He almost left in the summer and was linked with a move away last month, but he could yet have an important role to play. Certainly he did more in half an hour than Yoane Wissa had done all game.
The frustration comes with key decisions. He should have played Guimaraes through in the move which ultimately led to the penalty, and it's those calls that can have a huge impact. However, he's given Howe something to think about for future games.