Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has hailed Eddie Howe for his tactical changes that "worked perfectly" during the 2-1 win against Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies became just the second team this season to beat Brentford at home thanks to a David Raya own goal and a sublime finish from Alexander Isak. Having seen an initial spot-kick saved by Nick Pope, Ivan Toney's second penalty of the game just before half-time saw the Bees take a 1-0 lead at the break.
Howe was quick to act as he brought on Callum Wilson and Anthony Gordon at half-time, with the former providing the assist for Isak in the 61st minute. Shearer has heaped praise on the Newcastle boss for his substitutions after he admitted that the change in tactics turned the game around for his former side.
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“Brentford made it really tough for Newcastle in the first-half,” he told BBC’s Match of the Day. “Isak up front on his own, it wasn’t working. Getting no support, no one really near him at all, hopeful balls in behind but the runs weren’t there.
“It changes in the second-half, Wilson comes on and they go two up top. Gordon comes on and it’s a great decision I think from Eddie Howe as all of a sudden you’ve got energy up front, you’ve got guys who are willing to work together and you’ve also got someone who is willing to run in behind.
“It changes and all of a sudden there’s the [Newcastle] press. They [Brentford] have to go long and they [Newcastle] win that second ball. All of a sudden your two forwards are working together.
“It’s great play from Wilson [for the second goal], he puts it into his [Isak’s] path and says ‘Go on, go and do the rest’. And he does it magnificently well, it’s a wonderful finish… Much, much better from Newcastle in that second-half.
“They found it tough first-half but because of Eddie’s changes, it worked perfectly for them.”
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