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Christian Eriksen joined Brentford on a free transfer after leaving Inter MilanChristian 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 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.
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.
More to follow.
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Brentford
Squad number1Player nameRaya
Squad number20Player nameAjer
Squad number18Player nameJansson
Squad number5Player namePinnock
Squad number3Player nameHenry
Squad number8Player nameJensen
Squad number6Player nameNørgaard
Squad number27Player nameJanelt
Squad number10Player nameDasilva
Squad number19Player nameMbeumo
Squad number11Player nameWissa
Squad number7Player nameCanós
Squad number17Player nameToney
Squad number21Player nameEriksen
Newcastle United
Squad number1Player nameDúbravka
Squad number17Player nameKrafth
Squad number5Player nameSchär
Squad number33Player nameBurn
Squad number13Player nameTargett
Squad number28Player nameWillock
Squad number8Player nameShelvey
Squad number7Player nameJoelinton
Squad number23Player nameMurphy
Squad number20Player nameWood
Squad number21Player nameFraser
Squad number6Player nameLascelles
Squad number24Player nameAlmirón
Squad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães
Line-ups
Brentford
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Raya
- 20AjerBooked at 45minsSubstituted forCanósat 72'minutes
- 18Jansson
- 5Pinnock
- 3Henry
- 8JensenSubstituted forEriksenat 52'minutes
- 6Nørgaard
- 27JaneltBooked at 90mins
- 10DasilvaBooked at 11mins
- 19MbeumoBooked at 84mins
- 11WissaSubstituted forToneyat 62'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Canós
- 14Ghoddos
- 15Onyeka
- 17Toney
- 21Eriksen
- 22M Jorgensen
- 26Baptiste
- 30Roerslev
- 49Lössl
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
- 1DúbravkaBooked at 68mins
- 17Krafth
- 5Schär
- 33Burn
- 13Targett
- 28WillockSubstituted forLascellesat 83'minutes
- 8Shelvey
- 7Joelinton
- 23MurphySubstituted forGuimarães Rodriguez Mouraat 64'minutes
- 20Wood
- 21FraserSubstituted forAlmirónat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Dummett
- 6Lascelles
- 18Fernández
- 19Manquillo
- 24Almirón
- 26Darlow
- 34Gayle
- 36S Longstaff
- 39Guimarães Rodriguez Moura
Live Text
Match ends, Brentford 0, Newcastle United 2.
Second Half ends, Brentford 0, Newcastle United 2.
Vitaly Janelt (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Joelinton (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Vitaly Janelt (Brentford).
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Joelinton.
Attempt blocked. Ivan Toney (Brentford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Christian Eriksen with a cross.
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Martin Dúbravka.
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.
Attempt saved. Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Joelinton.
Substitution, Newcastle United. Miguel Almirón replaces Ryan Fraser.
Hand ball by Chris Wood (Newcastle United).
Attempt saved. Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Ryan Fraser (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Sergi Canós (Brentford).
Attempt missed. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matt Targett.
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Newcastle United. Jamaal Lascelles replaces Joseph Willock.
Joelinton (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Rico Henry (Brentford).
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