Christian Eriksen joined Brentford on a free transfer after leaving Inter Milan
Christian Eriksen made an emotional return to action 259 days after suffering a cardiac arrest but could not prevent Newcastle easing their relegation fears and increasing Brentford's with a comfortable win.
Eriksen was given a standing ovation from fans and players on both sides when he emerged as a 52nd-minute substitute, completing a remarkable comeback after he collapsed playing for Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020 in June.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank announced Eriksen would play some part but his introduction came in the toughest of circumstances, with the Bees two goals down and reduced to 10 men after Josh Dasilva's early red card, confirmed by VAR, for a foul on Matt Targett.
Newcastle took full advantage to secure their fourth win in five games, with Joelinton scoring with a towering header from Ryan Fraser's cross after 33 minutes and Joe Willock the beneficiary of Fabian Schar's superb counter seconds before half-time.
Eriksen looked lively, if understandably a little rusty and over-eager, replacing fellow Dane Mathias Jensen, who came on as a substitute for him at Euro 2020.
The Premier League game was effectively over when Eriksen came on but what a wonderful sight it was to see this high-class midfielder playing again and back to full health.
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Reborn Joelinton leads Newcastle revival
Eddie Howe's Newcastle United resurgence continues as they made it seven games unbeaten with a thoroughly professional and composed performance to cruise past Brentford.
Dasilva's rash 11th-minute challenge on Targett presented them with the numerical advantage and they cashed in ruthlessly, with only the excellence of Brentford keeper David Raya preventing a far more emphatic victory margin.
Newcastle took control and never looked like relinquishing it as their growing confidence and quality barely gave Brentford a chance.
And the symbol of the renaissance was Joelinton, who was often derided as a £40m failure early in his Newcastle career but is now flourishing in a deeper role and revelling in his cult hero status with the Toon Army.
He is a player reborn and sent Newcastle on their way with a header from Fraser's cross, powered low past Raya, who was helpless.
The Brazilian celebrated in flamboyant style, shrugging of his team-mates to race the length of the field and celebrate wildly in front of Newcastle's travelling fans tucked in a corner of the Brentford Community Stadium.
The chant "he's Brazilian, he only cost £40m" rang out at regular intervals - ironic in that for so long he was regarded as an over-priced piece of business.
Newcastle's £25m new boy Chris Wood is still struggling and yet to score. He should have struck with a first-half header but the goals are coming from elsewhere and with Howe's side now up to 14th in the table, the clouds that were gathering over Tyneside for so much of this season look to be rolling away.
It was all done without three of their most influential performers in Allan Saint-Maximin, Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson - which all bodes well for Howe and his team.
Eriksen's return the only good news for Brentford
In the wider context, this was a day about the return of Eriksen and it was a moment of real emotion and joy when he made his entrance early in the second half.
The whole ground rose to welcome the 30-year-old Dane and he was greeted warmly by players from both sides, happy to see this classy player and personality fit and healthy once more and doing what he loves.
He was swiftly into the action and showed some trademark touches, which will be crucial to Brentford's fight against relegation once he is up to full speed.
And make no mistake, the Bees need him because they are sinking down the table after eight games without a win, looking like a side who have run out of momentum and energy after such a promising start to the season.
Dasilva's early dismissal was a heavy blow but there was a lack of spark about Brentford's response. The manner in which they were caught on the break by Schar for Willock's crucial second smacked of naivety.
Eriksen's presence prompted a response but Newcastle were never in serious trouble and he must somehow help them rediscover that early season inspiration, otherwise a campaign that held so much hope will descend even further into a relegation scrap.
Player of the match
EriksenChristian Eriksen
with an average of 8.86
- BrentfordBrentfordBrentfordNewcastleNewcastle UnitedNewcastle United
BrentfordAvgSquad number21Player nameEriksenAverage rating
8.86
Squad number1Player nameRayaAverage rating
5.48
Squad number20Player nameAjerAverage rating
5.04
Squad number17Player nameToneyAverage rating
4.96
Squad number18Player nameJanssonAverage rating
4.91
Squad number19Player nameMbeumoAverage rating
4.87
Squad number6Player nameNørgaardAverage rating
4.81
Squad number3Player nameHenryAverage rating
4.79
Squad number11Player nameWissaAverage rating
4.72
Squad number5Player namePinnockAverage rating
4.70
Squad number8Player nameJensenAverage rating
4.68
Squad number27Player nameJaneltAverage rating
4.58
Squad number7Player nameCanósAverage rating
4.39
Squad number10Player nameDasilvaAverage rating
3.76
Newcastle UnitedAvgSquad number7Player nameJoelintonAverage rating
8.55
Squad number28Player nameWillockAverage rating
8.05
Squad number39Player nameBruno GuimarãesAverage rating
7.98
Squad number21Player nameFraserAverage rating
7.86
Squad number8Player nameShelveyAverage rating
7.81
Squad number13Player nameTargettAverage rating
7.79
Squad number33Player nameBurnAverage rating
7.79
Squad number5Player nameSchärAverage rating
7.64
Squad number1Player nameDúbravkaAverage rating
7.45
Squad number23Player nameMurphyAverage rating
7.36
Squad number17Player nameKrafthAverage rating
7.26
Squad number24Player nameAlmirónAverage rating
7.20
Squad number6Player nameLascellesAverage rating
7.16
Squad number20Player nameWoodAverage rating
7.04
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsBrentford
Formation 4-3-3
1Raya20Ajer18Jansson5Pinnock3Henry8Jensen6Nørgaard27Janelt10Dasilva19Mbeumo11Wissa
- 1Raya20AjerBooked at 45minsSubstituted forCanósat 72'minutes18Jansson5Pinnock3Henry8JensenSubstituted forEriksenat 52'minutes6Nørgaard27JaneltBooked at 90mins10DasilvaBooked at 11mins19MbeumoBooked at 84mins11WissaSubstituted forToneyat 62'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Canós14Ghoddos15Onyeka17Toney21Eriksen22M Jorgensen26Baptiste30Roerslev49Lössl
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
1Dúbravka17Krafth5Schär33Burn13Targett28Willock8Shelvey7Joelinton23Murphy20Wood21Fraser
- 1DúbravkaBooked at 68mins17Krafth5Schär33Burn13Targett28WillockSubstituted forLascellesat 83'minutes8Shelvey7Joelinton23MurphySubstituted forGuimarães Rodriguez Mouraat 64'minutes20Wood21FraserSubstituted forAlmirónat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Dummett6Lascelles18Fernández19Manquillo24Almirón26Darlow34Gayle36S Longstaff39Guimarães Rodriguez Moura
Referee:Mike DeanMatch StatsHome TeamBrentfordAway TeamNewcastlePossessionHome37%Away63%ShotsHome6Away26Shots on TargetHome1Away11CornersHome6Away6FoulsHome9Away7Live TextPost update
Match ends, Brentford 0, Newcastle United 2.
90'+6'Full Time
Second Half ends, Brentford 0, Newcastle United 2.
90'+5'Booking
Vitaly Janelt (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+5'Post update
Joelinton (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+5'Post update
Foul by Vitaly Janelt (Brentford).
90'+4'Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Joelinton.
90'+4'Post update
Attempt blocked. Ivan Toney (Brentford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Christian Eriksen with a cross.
90'+3'Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Martin Dúbravka.
90'+3'Post update
Attempt saved. Vitaly Janelt (Brentford) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Ivan Toney.
90'+2'Post update
Attempt saved. Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Joelinton.
90'Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Miguel Almirón replaces Ryan Fraser.
89'Post update
Hand ball by Chris Wood (Newcastle United).
86'Post update
Attempt saved. Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
85'Post update
Ryan Fraser (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
85'Post update
Foul by Sergi Canós (Brentford).
85'Post update
Attempt missed. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matt Targett.
84'Booking
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) is shown the yellow card.
83'Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Jamaal Lascelles replaces Joseph Willock.
82'Post update
Joelinton (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82'Post update
Foul by Rico Henry (Brentford).
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Source: bbc.com