Alexander Isak`s quest to surpass Alan Shearer continued, but it was Sandro Tonali, Newcastle’s Italian midfielder, who ultimately secured the win against Brentford.
Tonali`s powerful shot from a wide position surprised goalkeeper Mark Flekken, keeping Newcastle close to Manchester City in the race for fourth place.
This victory was achieved even without the influential striker Alexander Isak being on the pitch for a portion of the game.
While Isak is still chasing Shearer`s club record of 206 goals, the Swedish forward has already accomplished something Shearer never did.
Following Newcastle`s recent trophy win, ending a long wait for silverware, Isak has now become the first Newcastle player to score 20 or more goals in successive Premier League seasons, starting with his opening goal in this match.
Brentford, who were unbeaten in their previous six away games, initially threatened to disrupt Newcastle`s celebration when Bryan Mbeumo equalized with a penalty. However, Tonali`s moment of brilliance ultimately secured the win for the home side.
The atmosphere in Newcastle was festive from the start, as the Carabao Cup champions played their first home game since their Wembley victory.
Just days after an estimated 300,000 fans celebrated at the trophy parade, the Newcastle supporters displayed a massive flag of their manager, alongside a banner proclaiming “Eddie Howe History Made,” acknowledging the end of the club`s 70-year trophy drought.
Howe acknowledged the fans` appreciation, but both he and his team are focused on achieving an even greater goal: Champions League qualification.
Howe admitted that Newcastle`s main challenge is maintaining consistency in their pursuit of a Champions League spot.
Having named the same starting lineup that beat Liverpool in the cup final, Newcastle began the match with high energy.
They nearly opened the scoring in the second minute, with a well-constructed attack. Joelinton passed to Tino Livramento on the left, who beat his marker and crossed to the far post.
Isak met the cross, but uncharacteristically missed the target from close range under pressure.
Joelinton then shot wide as Newcastle continued to apply pressure. Isak had another opportunity soon after.
Jacob Murphy dispossessed Ethan Pinnock in Brentford`s half, and Isak seized the chance.
He surged forward, broke free from the defense, and had a clear shot but fired over the bar from 20 yards.
Brentford, however, weathered Newcastle`s initial onslaught and began to pose their own threat.
They aimed to extend their streak of six away wins and started to challenge Newcastle directly.
Bryan Mbeumo shot wide from the edge of the box, and shortly after, Kieran Trippier cleared Mbeumo`s cross, preventing Kevin Schade from heading in.
For Newcastle, Harvey Barnes cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful shot that narrowly missed the far post.
Fabian Schar`s long-range shot deflected off Isak as Newcastle sought to regain momentum before halftime.
Newcastle thought they had broken the deadlock in the final moments of the half when Isak skillfully evaded the defense and set up Barnes for a tap-in, but Barnes was ruled offside.
Just when it seemed like a tense halftime team talk was in store for Howe, Isak delivered a crucial goal.
This time, he capitalized on a slip by Mbeumo to direct Murphy’s cross past Mark Flekken, scoring his 24th goal of the season.
Barnes shot wide again immediately after the restart, and then Murphy hesitated after intercepting the ball and breaking through on goal.
Caught between passing and shooting, Murphy’s eventual shot was blocked, as was Barnes’ subsequent attempt, and Brentford launched a quick counter-attack.
Bruno Guimaraes blocked an initial effort as Newcastle struggled to clear the danger, and eventually, they were penalized after a chaotic sequence.
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope rushed out to challenge Yoane Wissa as he ran onto a through ball and brought down the Brentford attacker.
The referee immediately awarded a penalty, and after a VAR review, Mbeumo calmly converted, sending Pope the wrong way.
Howe responded by substituting Isak and Murphy with Callum Wilson and Joe Willock, but Brentford almost took the lead moments later.
From a corner, Pinnock rose highest and headed the ball against the inside of the post, with the rebound falling safely into Pope’s hands.
Newcastle appeared to be faltering, and talks of a post-Wembley slump began to surface, but Tonali had other plans.
Barnes passed to Tonali on the right wing, and the former AC Milan midfielder, spotting an opening, unleashed a powerful shot that beat Flekken at his near post.
Late in added time, Brentford had one last opportunity to equalize, but substitute Mikkel Damsgaard’s shot went high.
Damsgaard then fell after a collision with Guimaraes, but despite Brentford`s appeals, the penalty claims were dismissed.
