Hogan scores again but Bees are beaten
Newcastle 3 Brentford 1
Scott Hogan scored again but Brentford were beaten at St. James’ Park in the first meeting between the two sides for 15 years.
In the battle between two of the Championship’s leading scorers, Hogan was outshone by Dwight Gayle, whose brace effectively separated the teams.
Hogan had headed an early chance over the bar but Newcastle carried the greater threat throughout the first half.
And they took the lead on 11 minutes when Brentford failed to deal with a free-kick and Jonjo Shelvey’s cross was met by unmarked Magpies centre-back Ciaran Clark, who headed in.
Another piece of poor defending allowed Newcastle their second five minutes later as John Egan’s clearance dropped to Gayle to fire home.
Ayoze Perez was denied a goal for handball while Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu went close as the hosts continued to press.
Nico Yennaris forced Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow into a save in the first half, but the Bees were undone soon after the break by a swift counter, with the excellent Shelvey setting up Gayle to score.
Hogan pulled one back shortly afterwards with a header after Romaine Sawyers had flicked on a corner.
Brentford did have a lot of both possession and territory in the second half but, with Lasse Vibe injured, their attacking options were limited and they were unable to find a way through the Newcastle defence.
Brentford: Bentley; Colin, Egan, Dean, Bjelland (Barbet 75); Yennaris (McCormack 78), Woods; Clarke, Sawyers, Macleod (Kaikai 64); Hogan.
Subs not used: Bonham, McEachran, Kerschbaumer, Saunders.
