Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe applauds fans on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on February 7, 2026. Brentford won the game 3-2. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe applauds fans on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on February 7, 2026. Brentford won the game 3-2. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United 2-3 Brentford: Newcastle dropped more points from a winning position as they fell to a third successive defeat.
It’s now 19 points dropped from winning positions in the Premier League for The Magpies this season, the most of any side.
Sven Botman gave the home side the lead midway through the first half before a Vitaly Janelt header and Igor Thiago penalty put Brentford ahead at the break as the boos rang out from the home supporters. Bruno Guimaraes grabbed an equaliser from the penalty spot heading into the closing stages before Dango Ouattara grabbed a late winner for Brentford.
And for the first time under Eddie Howe, loud boos rang out at St James’ Park once again at full-time.
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Eddie Howe responds to St James’ Park boos
While there has been plenty of discourse about social media outrage and ‘armchair fans’, those inside a packed St James’ Park made their feelings heard on Saturday evening as they booed Howe and his players off the pitch following a third straight Premier League defeat.
“Yeah, it's obviously not what we want,” Howe said in response to the booing. “It is hard, but I don't blame the supporters for expressing their feelings.
“I think we've created that ourselves to a point with a run of games where we haven't played as well as we can. We've defended poorly and we've got punished and there's no other thing to do than accept responsibility for it.”
When asked if he feels as though he’s losing the crowd, Howe added: “No, I don't think so. I think if we perform, the crowd will back us and they'll be with us every step of the way. And I've got no issue with their reaction today.
“They're reacting to what we deliver. So I don't see that being a problem. Of course, we have to turn that around with our performances.”
Eddie Howe takes responsibility for Newcastle United defeat
And perhaps in his most self-critical moment as Newcastle head coach during a press conference, Howe admitted the ‘harsh reality’ of managing the side right now.
“I think there's a harsh reality for me, I think I've got to think long and hard about my efforts,” Howe said. “I can't question that of myself, but I think I've got to work better.
“I've got to do more, I've got to take full responsibility for everything you see on the pitch and I've got to work out solutions. So, I think that's for me to do and then of course I have to ask the same from the players.
“I have to ask them to be really honest with themselves and look at their best level and judge how they're playing against that now, in this current moment.
“There's too many that can say they're playing towards their best. So, I think that then gives us growth to improve.”
Howe added: “I've always said the pressure I put on myself couldn't be more extreme because I demand really high standards from what I'm doing, how I work, what I ask the players to do. I'm obviously not doing my job well enough at the moment.”
Having delivered four larglely positive seasons for Newcastle, it’s the first time Howe has admitted to not doing his job well enough as head coach of the club.
Next up for Newcastle is a trip to face fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday evening as they eye a third Premier League away win this season.
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