Newcastle United remain in third place in the Premier League after coming from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Ivan Toney, who missed an earlier penalty, gave Brentford the lead from the spot just before half-time, but Newcastle equalised following an own goal from David Raya in the 54th minute before Alexander Isak scored what proved to be a stunning winner after the hour mark.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
READ MORE: Brentford vs Newcastle United highlights
Eddie Howe changes the game at half-time
After a desperate first half, where Newcastle failed to even have a shot on target, Eddie Howe switched to a 4-2-3-1 and threw Callum Wilson and Anthony Gordon on for Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy at the break. Isak, as a result, dropped in behind Wilson and the changes quickly gave Newcastle a fresh impetus as the visitors pressed high and pinned Brentford back.
Having spoken about 'leaving the first half behind', during the break, Newcastle soon drew level in the 54th minute after Joelinton turned Ben Mee inside out with a smart turn inside the box before the Brazilian's finish went in off the leg of goalkeeper David Raya. The momentum of the game shifted in an instant.
It said it all that at one point Raya could soon only boot the ball out of play under pressure from Wilson, who earned a round of applause from Howe on the touchline. The substitute was brilliant and had a big hand in Newcastle's second when he unselfishly laid the ball off for Isak.
Isak and Wilson combine to win it
Eddie Howe hinted ahead of this game that he 'saw a time or a place' where Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson would be on the pitch at the same time again. Although Isak got the nod to start against Brentford, even after Wilson's double at West Ham, Howe soon played his trump card at half-time.
Wilson is obsessed with scoring goals, but he stepped up for the team on Saturday and went on to lay the ball off to Isak on the edge of the area just after the hour mark as the £83m duo combined. The Sweden international then curled the ball into the top corner with a stunning first-time finish to put Newcastle 2-1 up.
Seven of Isak’s eight Premier League goals this season have either drawn Newcastle level (two) or given them the lead (five). This strike could yet prove one of his most important yet.
Newcastle show character to underline top four credentials
After defeating Manchester United and West Ham, it was not about to get any easier against high-flying Brentford in Newcastle's final test during a gruelling run of three games in just six days. Brentford were unbeaten at home in the top-flight since September and, remarkably, league leaders Arsenal were the only team to have previously emerged from the Gtech Community Stadium with three points this season.
No wonder Howe wanted to stay down in London after Wednesday's rout at West Ham to try and reduce fatigue. The Newcastle boss knew fine margins were going to go a long way to deciding this game and the Magpies showed real character to come from behind to win this after a poor first half.
That recovery was all the more crucial after Spurs also had a narrow 2-1 win of their own against Brighton on Saturday. Newcastle remain three points clear of the Londoners with a game in hand after reigniting their Champions League push with five successive victories.
Visitors recover from awful first half and harsh decision
Thomas Frank wrote that Newcastle's defensive record was 'crazy impressive' in his programme notes ahead of this game, but you would not have known the sluggish Magpies had the best backline in the country in the first half. Far from it, in fact.
This was also Brentford's third game in quick succession, but the hosts looked sharper and quicker in the opening half, peppering Newcastle's box with crosses, and shaky Newcastle did not awaken from their slumber, even when Ivan Toney had a goal disallowed in the 10th minute.
That uncharacteristic chaos at the back was exploited before the half-hour mark when Fabian Schar was left for dead down Newcastle's left by Brentford livewire Kevin Schade and Sven Botman rushed across to wipe the forward out. Referee Chris Kavanagh immediately pointed to the spot.
Although Nick Pope bailed Newcastle out, to keep out Toney's first penalty, Brentford deservedly went into the break 1-0 up after the striker converted his second spot-kick just before half-time - even if it was a very harsh decision. to penalise Alexander Isak for a high boot on Rico Henry.
Newcastle, to their credit, defended better after the break, keeping Brentford at bay, and Pope made a huge save to push Toney's header away in the 80th minute.
Away end have last laugh after Ivan Toney taunt
Newcastle won't have needed any reminding about the threat of Ivan Toney, who had scored two goals in his previous three games against his former club. Toney is highly-rated by Newcastle's coaching team, who even considered bringing him back to the club last summer, before ultimately moving for top target Alexander Isak. Was it any wonder? Only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have scored more goals this season than Toney, who has not been in any way shaken by the prospect of a lengthy ban for breaching FA gambling rules.
Toney looked in the mood from the off and the striker thought he had given his side the lead in the 10th minute when he fired home the rebound after Nick Pope made a great save to keep out Pontus Jansson's header. However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR check.
Yet, even after his first penalty miss since 2018, in the 29th minute, Toney showed his mettle to step up from the spot once again before half-time and fire Brentford 1-0 up. Brentford fans went on to taunt: "He left 'cos you're s---. Ivan Toney - he left 'cos you're s---!" However, it was Newcastle supporters who were ultimately smiling at full-time.
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