Alexander Isak netted his 20th Premier League goal of the season, and Sandro Tonali delivered a spectacular winner as Newcastle United edged Brentford 2-1 at St James’ Park on Wednesday, strengthening their push for a Champions League berth.
Isak matched last season’s tally by tapping in Jacob Murphy’s cross from close range during first-half stoppage time after Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, a player reportedly on Newcastle’s radar, made a costly slip.
Earlier in the match, the Swedish forward hesitated in a rare lapse of judgment, opting to cross to Harvey Barnes, whose headed effort was disallowed for offside, rather than taking the shot himself.
Brentford found a way back into the game in the 66th minute when Mbeumo converted from the penalty spot, sending Nick Pope the wrong way for his 15th goal of the campaign.
However, Tonali restored Newcastle’s lead in the 74th minute with a breathtaking strike from near the right-hand touchline.
The visitors kept pushing until the final whistle, nearly snatching an equalizer in added time, keeping the home supporters on edge.
This was Newcastle’s first match since their historic League Cup victory at Wembley, and the result lifts them to fifth in the table with 50 points, one behind reigning champions Manchester City, who have played a game more. Brentford, meanwhile, sit 11th with 41 points.
