Newcastle United 1-0 Brentford: 3 Catalyst Players Who Were Key To The Result

Mark Flekken

Brentford showed how well they can perform defensively. Compact at the back, at least 10 men behind the ball at all times, when to shift and where to. It was a thing of perfection but an annoyance to play against. What let Brentford down in the end was their goalkeeper. I will say he did not at all have an awful game, there were a few missed punches, catches, or kicks here or there but nothing that would make you think they should have conceded more. He only faced 2 shots, saved one and the other was the converted penalty. The reason for conceding the penalty though, is entirely on him. The challenge made on Gordon was very poor. The ball had gone passed him and he can do nothing but clatter into the oncoming player, a shame for him but to the delight of the Geordie crowd. This allowed Newcastle to play slow, which worked out for them unlike when the Bees started the game taking their time with every set piece, a Newcastle United specialty.