Here's what the national media thought about Newcastle United's incredible 5-1 win over Brentford yesterday afternoon.
Saudi-led Consortium anniversary given 'perfect performance' to celebrate
BBC Sport spoke about the one year anniversary of the Saudi-led consortium takeover as Emma Smith wrote: "O n the first anniversary on the day everything changed for Newcastle, this was the perfect performance to celebrate.
"They crushed Brentford one year and a day since a Saudi-led consortium took over. A tifo covered the Gallowgate End before kick-off, based on the takeover announcement and listing the signings made in the past 12 months.
"Two of the players signed by the current owners are Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes, and both were in stellar form here. Trippier's crossing was a constant menace, as he left a timely reminder as to why he may go to the World Cup with England ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
"Guimaraes was the driving force from midfield for Eddie Howe's side, while Miguel Almiron was also excellent - signed during the Mike Ashley era and often maligned, he was an endlessly energetic attacking presence.
"The return of Allan Saint-Maximin, sidelined since August, as a late substitute capped a near-perfect day. Optimism abounds at St. James' Park - they will expect many more days like this to come."
Wilson touted as captain Kane's 'international understudy'
Louise Taylor of the Guardian wrote: "What a difference a year makes. Newcastle celebrated the first anniversary of their transformative Saudi Arabian-led takeover by not merely breaking into the top six but suggesting that European qualification is eminently feasible.
"At times the fans might have been watching Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers of 1990s title-challenging vintage or perhaps Sir Bobby Robson’s Champions League class of the early 2000s. Eleven months on from Brentford’s previous visit, Newcastle have spent £210m on transfers while several longer-standing players look reborn under Howe’s tutelage.
"When Brentford’s goalkeeper attempted to play the ball out from the back his high-risk pass was ruthlessly intercepted by Callum Wilson. All that remained was for a striker still hoping to make a late dash into England’s World Cup squad to accelerate towards goal before unselfishly teeing Murphy up for a side-foot finish.
"Wilson is injury prone but is anyone better equipped to serve as Harry Kane’s international understudy?"
Brentford were makers of their own downfall
Joe Shread wrote for Sky Sports: "Brentford arrived on Tyneside with the aim of ending a run of two games without so much as a goal yet alone a win, but only had themselves to blame after making a series of mistakes that made defeat inevitable.
"The Bees thought things had started well when Mbeumo's shot beat Nick Pope a little too easily but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside against Toney in the build-up.
"Brentford never looked like mounting a comeback after that blow and instead self-destructed. Pinnock marked his first appearance since April by selling Raya short with a poor backpass that allowed Almiron to score the hosts' fourth, before sending Joelinton's cross into the back of his own net to cap a miserable afternoon for his side."
'Phenomenal' Newcastle run riot over Brentford
Matthew Stead of Football 365 wrote: "In the interests of fairness, Howe could withstand a couple of quickfire rounds with Magnus Magnusson on the basis of his year at St James’ Park thus far. With this result, Newcastle remain 6th in a Premier League table comprised of results since his first match in charge; a 35-game period is no ordinary new-manager bounce.
"The Magpies have five more points than Manchester United in that time. They also rose to 5th in the actual Premier League table but that is obviously of far less importance.
"It was after that 3-3 draw when Thomas Frank was asked, as Brentford manager, what differences he noticed in Newcastle after not even a fortnight of Howe coaching. He suggested “there was much more of a willingness to keep possession”.
"He referred to “a team that wanted to play a bit more”. He mentioned how they were “very front-footed”. He admired how they were “aggressive in the pressure”.
"And how. And Howe. If those improvements were indicative only of a typical honeymoon period, a 5-1 thrashing of Frank’s Brentford showed just how healthy this marriage remains.
"Newcastle were phenomenal. They completely smothered Brentford, who have rarely been made to look so overawed since their top-flight bow. They had absolutely no answer to the constant duress they were put under. Their hosts were remarkably unwelcoming."
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