Newcastle survived a second-half scare to beat Brentford 4-2 and secure seventh place in the Premier League table. They will now hope for a Manchester City win in Saturday’s FA Cup final which would seal them a UEFA Conference League place next season.
The visitors looked shaky against a carefree Brentford early on, with Ivan Toney sending a bicycle kick over inside a minute before seeing a close-range finish seconds later ruled out by VAR for offside in the build-up.
But Harvey Barnes’ header into the top corner from Bruno Guimaraes’ fine cross settled the nerves and a quickfire double inspired by Alexander Isak put the Magpies in complete control before the break. The Swede teed up Jacob Murphy to convert Newcastle’s second before adding the third himself after Murphy and Guimaraes combined.
But Vitaly Janelt struck swiftly after the restart for a fired-up home side and although Nick Pope saved brilliantly from Toney, Yoane Wissa bent in a beauty to make it 3-2 and reignite those Newcastle nerves.
With news of Man Utd going ahead at Brighton coming through, the pressure was on the visitors to hold onto their lead but Bruno Guimaraes finally settled the contest by putting in the rebound from Isak’s free-kick after Lewis Hall had seen a penalty award controversially overturned by VAR.
The Brazilian is the subject of speculation over his future ahead of the summer transfer window but raced to the travelling supporters and celebrated passionately, even donning a bucket hat thrown from the stands. He looked like a player with a strong connection to his club’s fans.
The Magpies fly out immediately after this match to Australia for post-season friendlies with Tottenham and the A-League All Stars but with Chelsea’s win over Bournemouth denying them the chance for sixth they will be tracking events at Wembley next weekend when their reward for finishing seventh becomes clear.
Brentford beat Man City on the final day of last season but, despite showing character in the second half, couldn’t muster another big finale to what has been a frustrating season. They end up 16th, their lowest Premier League finish.
How it happened…
With the transfer window soon to open, Toney’s future is likely to be in focus once again. Will the striker be playing here for Brentford at the start of next season? That remains to be seen but he appeared determined to sign off in style a season which saw him banned for so much of it. His overhead was ambitious but his finish moments later was clinical.
An offside in the build-up denied him but England boss Gareth Southgate would have been impressed ahead of naming his Euro 2024 longlist on Tuesday.
Newcastle’s Barnes will also have hoped to have caught the eye of Southgate with his header. His fifth of the season was the 21st time this year Brentford have let in such a goal, with Guimaraes brilliantly exposing the Bees’ aerial weakness.
Joelinton had missed a sitter for Newcastle before that Barnes opener but the Magpies’ attacking play was sharp from then on, with Sean Longstaff seeing a finish ruled out for Isak’s offside, before the Swede teed up his side’s second. Ethan Pinnock looked to have made a goal-saving tackle but Isak chased down the loose ball and crossed for Murphy to tuck in.
Murphy returned the favour with his part in the second, winning the ball off Sergio Reguilon high up the pitch before Guimaraes rolled in Isak to fire in his 21st Premier League goal of the season.
Isak should have made it 4-0 on the stroke of half-time when he controlled Joelinton’s pass but shot at Mark Flekken – and he may have been ruing that when Vitaly Janelt gave the Bees an unlikely lifeline immediately after the interval.
A big miss from Isak when Fabian Schar’s free-kick broke his way off the wall felt ominous and although Pope soon saved brilliantly from Toney’s towering header, Wissa’s bending beauty had the visitors rattled. Man Utd, winning at Brighton, were poised to capitalise if Newcastle let in another.
Yoane Wissa scores to reduce Brentford’s deficit against Newcastle
The tension was clear to see for Newcastle when Hall’s penalty award was overturned. He was clipped by Bryan Mbeumo but VAR ruled the contact came on Hall’s trailing leg outside the box, despite Hall’s standing leg being inside the box. Newcastle’s fans were incensed. But they were soon euphoric, celebrating with Bruno. The Brazilian donning a bucket hat made for an iconic image.
There was still time for sub Neal Maupay to cause a late scuffle in his final appearance before returning from his loan to Everton but Newcastle ultimately kept their composure to grab a vital victory to enjoy on the flight to Australia. The fruits of their efforts will be decided on Saturday evening at Wembley.
Frank: We’re performing small miracles to stay in Premier League
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Speaking after their final-day 4-2 loss to Newcastle, head coach Thomas Frank labelled Brentford’s campaign a success after they managed to avoid the drop during a shaky season.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank: “It’s a successful season. For me success every year we are in the Premier League for a club of our stature, our budget, we are creating small miracles. For a long period of time we’ve had top strategy, structure, culture and outperforming much, much bigger clubs, which I’m very pleased with.
“I want more, we want more, to improve and develop. I’m a very optimistic guy, I’ve got so much belief in these guys and the players and everything, I can only dream of what would be achievable this season with a normal injury record. A good foundation to stand on – I’m excited for the future.”
On transfer plans and Toney’s future: “Just have a fit squad. I don’t think we need players in. Yes we’ve done the job with Igor Thiago. We’re not in a massive hurry or rush to get others in. Toney? I’d like to keep him. There are a lot of rumours. I understand them because he’s a top player. But for now he’s a Brentford player. Let’s see what’s going to happen.”
Howe: It’s been a challenging season but a season of progression
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Eddie Howe praised his side’s performance after they defeated Brentford 4-2 but is frustrated they haven’t secured a European place earlier on in the season, as they now wait on Manchester United’s outcome in the FA Cup final.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe: “It was a good performance. It was a difficult start with the VAR moment. That rocked us and got the crowd in the game. We weathered that. Scored some great goals. Gave a goal away and when it goes 3-1 there’s a slight momentum shift.
“Is seventh a success? I think it is. I never judge it by league position. But looking behind that – the amount of goals we’ve scored this year tells you something. The amount we’ve conceded tells you something. The feeling in the group is so strong. There’s a real bond between staff and players.
“When I look back on this season I’ll only have good memories. Some really challenging moments when we had to dig deep but the players never let me down. I think it’s been a season of progression, my feeling is we’ve grown stronger as a team. I couldn’t be happier with where we are. But that has to continue.”
On reported transfer targets Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes impressing: “They’re two outstanding players. They can make the difference and have made the difference. But the team gives them a platform to play well. They’ve suited to how we play. Their involvement was top class but it’s been a real team effort all season, we’ve stuck together through good times and bad times.
“Did Bruno wave goodbye? I don’t think it’s a wave goodbye. I think Bruno does that many times. But it can be interpreted in a way if people watching decided that’s the case. I hope not. He’s integral to what we’re doing and we’re desperate to keep him.”
When does the 2024/25 Premier League season start?
The 2023/24 season has reached its conclusion but planning has already started for the new campaign.
Several Premier League sides have confirmed pre-season friendlies ahead of the 2024/25 term, which kicks off on the weekend of August 17/18, while others have given fresh kits an early airing.
The Premier League fixtures – all 380 of them – will be released at 9am on Tuesday, June 18, with full coverage on Sky Sports News and Sky Sports’ digital platforms.
The new EFL season starts on the weekend of August 10/11 and marks the launch of Sky Sports+, giving more choice to sports fans via live streams and a new dedicated channel, at no extra cost. In a broadcasting first, every EFL game across all three divisions – the Championship, League One and League Two – will be streamed live on the opening weekend.
Stand by for another busy summer in the transfer window – clubs can do business from June 14 until August 30 and the Sky Sports Transfer Centre will keep you posted with all the latest news and rumours.
Euro 2024 is just weeks away, too. Keep track of England’s Euro fixtures, check out the full tournament schedule in Germany and join us on skysports.com or the Sky Sports app to follow every game with our live match blogs.