NEWCASTLE moved back to the top of the Championship table as goals from Dwight Gayle and Daryl Murphy secured a 2-1 win at Brentford.
An action-packed game saw three Newcastle players forced off because of injury, and the visitors had to survive nine minutes of stoppage-time in order to claim their first victory of 2017.
What were the key talking points from Griffin Park?
MURPHY’S LAW IS ON NEWCASTLE’S SIDE
Daryl Murphy has had precious few chances since moving to Newcastle from Ipswich in the summer, but he could turn out to be a crucial performer in the second half of the season.
His headed winner made it two goals in two games, with the striker having claimed his first Magpies goal in last weekend’s FA Cup draw with Birmingham, and having been signed to provide a Plan B, he lived up to his billing as he converted Ayoze Perez’s cross.
He was only on the field because of Dwight Gayle’s first-half hamstring injury, and if Newcastle’s leading scorer is ruled out for a prolonged spell, Murphy will be absolutely crucial.
He will almost certainly start Wednesday’s FA Cup replay, and will remain in the side against Rotherham next weekend if Gayle is unavailable because Aleksandar Mitrovic is still at least a fortnight away from fitness.
THE NEED FOR JANUARY SIGNINGS INCREASES
Gayle’s first-half injury was bad enough, but Newcastle also lost two more players with Isaac Hayden hobbling off in the second half and Vurnon Anita having to leave the field on a stretcher.
Anita’s ankle injury looks especially serious, and while Jonjo Shelvey’s return from suspension will provide a timely boost, Newcastle’s squad is being severely tested.
Mike Ashley was watching on from the stands alongside managing director Lee Charnley this afternoon, and the pair might find themselves having to step up their transfer negotiations in the next couple of weeks.
Newcastle have seen a succession of approaches turned down in the last week or so, but remain keen to complete a couple of loan deals. They will be even more important if today’s injuries turn out to be long-term issues.
DARLOW COMES TO HIS SIDE’S RESCUE
Newcastle have been indebted to Karl Darlow on a number of occasions this season, and the goalkeeper came to his side’s rescue yet again as Brentford attempted to stage a grandstand finish.
Having made two crucial saves in the first half, Darlow was unfortunate as his second-half save from Andreas Bjelland teed up the rebound that enabled Lasse Vibe to equalise.
However, as Brentford threw everything at Newcastle in the final ten minutes, he came for a number of crosses to relieve the pressure on his under-pressure centre-halves.
Then, in the sixth minute of stoppage time, he ensured Newcastle claimed all three points as he got down to keep out a sharp effort from Brentford substitute Jota. Having started the season with Matz Sels in goal, Rafael Benitez’s decision to drop the Belgian and play Darlow has been richly rewarded.
BACK ON THE TOP OF THE PILE
There was certainly plenty of incident during today’s game, but once the dust settles, Newcastle will be able to take considerable satisfaction from having reclaimed their position at the top of the table.
Brighton still have a game in hand, but having looked all-but-invincible in the last few weeks, the Seagulls’ 2-0 defeat at Preston suggests they might finally be feeling the pressure.
With Reading also having lost on Thursday night, it has been a good few days for the Magpies, who are now seven points clear of third position.
With an inviting home game against relegation-threatened Rotherham to come on Saturday, Newcastle continue to look extremely well positioned.
MANAGER’S COMMENTS:
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez said: “There’s not too much of an update (on the injuries). The three of them, we have the doctors telling me that we need to check them tomorrow to see how they are.
“To make substitutions is always not good news but in the end we had to do it. I’m really pleased with the players coming off the bench. They performed well in a difficult game.
“I am sure that the fans will be very proud of the team today because they were working so hard in a difficult situation.
“It was a bad tackle on Anita, he has a problem with his ankle, Hayden with his groin and Gayle with his hamstring.
“I think in this situation, we did well. I was surprised with nine minutes, but we had to defend and they pushed. You can't stop every cross, but I'm pleased for the way the players managed a difficult situation.”
Brentford manager Dean Smith said: “I’m disappointed with the result, but proud of the players’ performance. I thought we gave a really good account of ourselves, and we’re unfortunate not to win the game, let alone get a point.
“You have to give Newcastle credit, they put pressure on us early on, then we went behind to a goal that probably only Dwight Gayle could have scored in this Championship.
“I said earlier this season he should go and score 30 goals this season. He’s got one from the top drawer again.
“Our response to that was excellent, and we dominated before half-time and should have come in level at least.”
LINE-UPS:
Brentford (5-3-2): Bentley; Colin, Egan (Hofmann 87), Dean, Bjelland, Field; Yennaris, Woods, McEachran (Jota 80); Sawyers (Clarke 90), Vibe.
Subs (not used): Bonham (gk), Barbet, Kerschbaumer, Hogan.
Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Hayden (Anita 62 (Hanley 70)), Colback; Ritchie, Perez, Gouffran; Gayle (Murphy 28).
Subs (not used): Sels (gk), Lazaar, Sterry, Ameobi.
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