Sports
Match Report – Newcastle United 3-3 Brentford: Six goal thriller at St. James to start life under Howe

Newcastle United started the Eddie Howe era with a pulsating 3-3 draw at home against Premier League new boys Brentford and find themselves bottom of the table following Norwich’s victory over Southampton.
Jamaal Lascelles headed home from an inviting Matt Ritchie corner inside ten minutes to give the Magpies a dream start under their new boss.
The lead lasted only a minute before Brentford equalised through Newcastle old boy, Ivan Toney. The impressive striker finished off a sweeping counter attack after his drilled shot burst through Darlow – the goalkeeper at fault.
The game was played at a high tempo throughout as Howe delivered his promise of attacking, forward-thinking football that Toon fans have been starved of for years. Both teams struggled to defend with control as the game ebbed and flowed – a feisty affair by any measure.
The third goal went to the away side in the 31st minute when Rico Henry got on the end of a curving cross from opposite full-back Sergi Canos as Brentford once again created an overload at the back post – 2-1 to the Bees.
Undeterred, Newcastle continued to attack the Brentford goal extravagantly. Top scorer Callum Wilson was frustrated by the away side’s centre-backs and could only fire his shot straight at Toney on the line, despite making a yard of space in the box.
Minutes later Joelinton took an excellent touch before smashing his shot into the bottom corner passed the diving Fernandez in the Brentford net. The equaliser came after another mazy run from Allan Saint-Maximin. His resulting shot fell at the feet of the Brazilian who showed a striker’s instinct to get his side level going into the break.
The home side had registered 16 shots and the visitors 7 as the Mags had the most first-half possession so far this season at 55.4%. An improvement in an attacking sense, but the same old story defensively.
The second half didn’t quite live up the attacking excitement of the first but contained no less drama…
After a number of injury stoppages at the start of the second 45, Newcastle had a great opportunity to take the lead as Shelvey found Willock before the former Arsenal man slid a cushioned pass into Saint-Maximin on the edge of the box. His curved finish flashed passed the post.
Minutes later, the Bees took the lead for a second time as the Magpies failed to clear the ball on a number of occasions.
The ball finally found its way to second half substitute Frank Onyeka who had his effort deflected by Jamaal Lascelles passed the despairing dive of Karl Darlow – 3-2 Brentford with just under half an hour to play.
Stand-in boss Jason Tindall, who filled in for Howe on match day as the new Magpies boss isolates after his positive Covid-19 result on Friday, turned to his bench for inspiration. He introduced Geordie-born Shaun Longstaff and yet-to-perform Ryan Fraser to try and gain the momentum once more.
The mercurial Saint-Maximin again went close as his dazzling dribbling helped to create space in the box, but his subsequent cross was blocked by goalkeeper Fernandez as it deflected off centre-back Pontus Jansson.
However, moments later Saint-Maximin reaped reward for his hard-work after a sweeping attack from the home side.
Darlow came to collect a poor Brentford corner before sharply depositing the ball to midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. The ex Liverpool and Swansea man fired a 30-yard pass to the chest of the Newcastle number 10. Perfect control from the Frenchman allowed him to find the feet of the newly introduced Fraser on the right flank. The winger shaped a lovely ball to the back post as fan favourite Saint-Maximum shot his half-volley passed the hands of the Brentford keeper.
Time to win it? If only Joelinton had pulled the trigger when ASM again created a gilt-edged chance. It was not to be. The £40million Brazilian arguably had his best performance in the black and white stripes.
With the Magpies still unable to find their first victory of the campaign, they now sit at the foot of the Premier League table as the only winless side in the league.
New boss Eddie Howe will have witnessed a performance to take encouragement from whilst outlining the immensity of the job at hand – can he bring them to safety?
Newcastle face a trip to the Emirates next to face an Arsenal team in decent form, despite losing 4-0 away at Liverpool on the Saturday Night Football. Howe’s side will look to build on the positives from the fixture with Brentford who play Everton at home next Sunday.
The next two fixtures at St. James’ Park are must-wins if the Geordies are to avoid relegation to the Championship. They face fellow strugglers Norwich before Sean Dyche’s Burnley travel to Tyneside. The Magpies are in need of improvement as a tough Christmas period beckons.
Ratings
Darlow (5), Schar (6), Lascelles (7), Clark (6), Murphy (6), Willock (6), Shelvey (7), Ritchie (8), Joelinton (9), Wilson (7), Saint-Maximin (9).
Subs: Longstaff (6), Fraser (7)
Agree with these ratings? Let us know on social media…
Post-Match thoughts? Two points dropped or one point gained
Join in the conversation and have your say…
Featured
Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.
They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’
Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..
Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.
What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.
You can also download our FREE app – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates
Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter
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Featured
Amazon filming Newcastle United for “All or Nothing” style documentary

Amazon Prime are currently filming behind-the-scenes footage at Newcastle United for a new documentary.
The docu-series will provide an insight into the club and its efforts to secure a top-four finish and a piece of silverware in the 2022-23 season.
Reports today revealed that camera crews have been filming a four-part documentary for their All or Nothing series. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie confirmed that the series will cover the club and the new owners as they attempt to qualify for the Champions League and win a trophy.
The All or Nothing series has previously documented other Premier League Clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Spurs as well as the Brazilian national team, Juventus, and the All Blacks of rugby.
Something I mentioned last night on @tfNUFC: Camera crews have been filming behind-the-scenes at Newcastle United for a four-part documentary to be shown on Amazon.
The series will chart the club & its owners as they attempt to win a trophy & qualify for The Champ League #NUFC— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) February 8, 2023
Newcastle face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26 at Wembley.
🗓️ 26.02.23@ManUtd 🆚 @NUFC #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/V23zWPDoxP
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 1, 2023
The Magpies have featured three times in Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Most recently in the 2003-04 season as they reached the third qualifying round, eventually losing on penalties to Serbian side FK Partizan.
The season before the Toon finished third in the 2002-03 Champions League group stages, winning twice against Bayer Leverkusen and drawing with Inter Milan 2-2 at the San Siro. The lineup that night; Given, Solano, O’Brien, Dyer, Shearer (C), Bellamy, Speed, Griffin, Hughes, Dabizas and Viana.
The series is expected to air later this year and will be available on Amazon Prime.
Based on previous seasons, you can expect exclusive access to training sessions, team meetings and match days, giving fans an in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis at Newcastle United.
It is set to be an incredible storyline and one that should provide fans with some real insight into what it takes to compete at the top level of professional football.
What do you think Newcastle fans?
Does this excite you or do you stand more with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who once said the cameras could be intrusive to the dressing room when he turned down the offer from Amazon In 2018?
Join the conversation on our Facebook page…
Sports
Newcastle target rejects Everton move following £45m bid.

Everton have made a £40million bid with £5m in add-ons to sign Connor Gallagher from Chelsea.
This comes after Newcastle completed the signing of Anthony Gordon, the club’s second most expensive transfer behind Alexander Isak.
Everton received an initial fee of £40m plus add-ons that could increase the deal to £45m.
EXCL: Everton have submitted a bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. It’s £40m proposal plus £5m add ons. 🚨🔵 #EFC
Chelsea will make a decision soon as there are also other clubs interested in Gallagher — and player has to decide his future too. pic.twitter.com/xZeuGqaR01
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023
The Toffees currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are looking to reinvest the money from the Gordon deal to sign much-needed players under newly appointed manager Sean Dyche.
But, multiple sources have reported today that Gallagher is not actively pushing for a move and has no intention of going to Goodison Park. However, with Chelsea having met the record-breaking €120m release clause for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher may be forced to leave the club if the transfer is complete.
🚨| Conor Gallagher is not interested in a move to Everton 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0CYzXjBoBd
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 30, 2023
This leaves Newcastle an option as the player would prefer a move to a top-six club.
This morning, Eddie Howe said, “We’ll see what we can do to try & bring a player in. There’s no guarantees. In terms of permanent signings, it will be very difficult. We’ll look at a potential loan. But it’s got to be the right player & not one for the sake of it”.
Due to financial fair play, the only way Newcastle could sign the player is through a loan, with an obligation to buy the player for at least £45m, the same price they paid for Anthony Gordon.
Gallagher has been playing regular Premier League football over the last two seasons. Since returning to his parent club Chelsea, the 22-year-old has been linked with a move away to numerous Premier League clubs.
Last season he was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season by their fans. He also won the Player of the Month award twice, Goal of the Month once, and was awarded the Young Player of Year at the 2022 London Football Awards.
In the same season, he made 36 appearances scoring eight goals and registering three assists that earned Palace a 12th-place finish, one point behind Newcastle.
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