This was a damaging defeat for Newcastle and head coach Eddie Howe. This was a night when Newcastle were found wanting at both ends of the pitch. Veteran full-back Kieran Trippier endured a difficult night against Dango Ouattara, and was caught out in the build-up to all three goals.
The boos at half-time and full-time told their own story. This was a damaging defeat for Newcastle and head coach Eddie Howe.
His weary side desperately looked in need of home comforts following a gruelling run of away fixtures against Carabao Cup finalists Manchester City, Premier League champions Liverpool and Champions League holders Paris St-Germain.
But some familiar vulnerabilities on the road have now started to rear their head at this one-time fortress after three home defeats in just four games at St James' Park.
This was a night when Newcastle were found wanting at both ends of the pitch.
Veteran full-back Kieran Trippier endured a difficult night against Dango Ouattara, and was caught out in the build-up to all three goals.
At the other end, forward Yoane Wissa failed to shine as he faced Brentford for the first time since pushing to leave his former club for Newcastle last summer in acrimonious circumstances.
Wissa did have one effort cleared off the line by Vitaly Janelt in the first half, but this was the night he endured the ignominy of the away end chanting "what a waste of money" and asking him "what's the score?"
Yet having found a way to draw level through the returning Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle should never have lost this game.
But they somehow found a way to do so and are sitting in 12th place for a reason.
Newcastle are favourites to reach the last 16 of the Champions League through the play-offs and can still reach Wembley again through the FA Cup, even if a testing fourth-round tie against Aston Villa awaits next week.
But this season is starting to unravel.
Category: General Sports
