Dango Ouattara made a significant impact for Brentford, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Newcastle, a result that bolsters the Bees’ chances for European qualification while complicating matters for the Magpies.
The 23-year-old Burkina Faso international scored the decisive goal just five minutes before full-time, showcasing his skill on a wintry St James’ Park.
Newcastle initially took control of the game with Sven Botman netting his first goal since New Year’s Day 2024. However, Brentford struck back with goals from Vitaly Janelt and Igor Thiago, whose penalty marked his 18th of the season, flipping the momentum before Bruno Guimaraes equalized from the spot.
This defeat marked the fourth home loss for Eddie Howe’s side this season and raised concerns as they dropped 19 points after leading games, much to the frustration of their loyal fans.
Brentford started confidently, with former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson at the helm. An early foul led to a free-kick opportunity for Sandro Tonali, but he misfired, sending the 10th-minute attempt over the bar.
Harvey Barnes almost made an impression with a close effort shortly after. Following a clearance from goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Jacob Murphy had a chance, but Barnes’s backheel went just wide of the target.
Keane Lewis-Potter, filling in for the suspended Kevin Schade, barely missed out on a low cross from Michael Kayode. Despite some early promise, Brentford fell behind just four minutes later.
After a corner by Guimaraes went awry, Botman expertly capitalized, meeting the second corner with a deft header that left Kelleher stranded. That lead could have doubled had Guimaraes or Yoane Wissa, making his debut against his former club, managed a touch on a dangerous cross from Hall.
Brentford equalized eight minutes before the break as Ouattara found space on the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross for Janelt, who outjumped Botman to nod past Nick Pope.
The Bees took the lead just before halftime when Thiago confidently converted a penalty after Mathias Jensen’s shot struck Murphy’s arm.
In response, Howe introduced record signing Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga for Murphy and Joe Willock at halftime, which revitalized the Magpies’ attack.
Newcastle were frustrated after a potential penalty was denied when Kieran Trippier’s 51st-minute cross seemed to strike Rico Henry’s arm. Minutes later, Barnes missed another opportunity, heading wide from Trippier’s cross.
The pressure intensified as Kelleher brilliantly denied Malick Thiaw’s powerful shot in the 67th minute, and Botman subsequently missed another chance from the resulting corner.
Newcastle regained momentum with 12 minutes to go when VAR intervened, leading to a penalty awarded for Kayode’s challenge on Guimaraes. The Brazilian calmly converted, leveling the score once again.
However, drama unfolded in the closing minutes. Ouattara capitalized on Jensen’s ball, unleashing a precise left-foot shot that beat Pope, securing a historic win for the Bees—their first on Tyneside since 1934.
