3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 | OneFootball

Wednesday night’s match ended Newcastle 3 Brentford 1.

Ahead of each game we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the game.

Plenty to talk about after this one…

Made in Italy

What a performance from Sandro Tonali.

He was peerless in midfield. He’s found his perfect position and his undoubted class is coming through.

He’s not an Italian international for nothing.

Two brilliant goals from the former AC Milan star.

The first of the brace was a rasping drive, swerving with power into the Leazes goal. Then he reacts to the corner kick and it’s in the net again. Job done.

If keeps this up then he’s the first name on the team sheet.

Confidence boost

It was a great chance to get some momentum and we came through it with flying colours.

Two wins on the spin makes everyone feel a lot better.

It has us dreaming of a cup final again and winning cups is what the game is all about.

Gold blend

The way our midfield is now set up is working well.

For a while Tonali and Bruno were like the England side when managers struggled to pair Lampard with Gerrard.

It’s to Eddie Howe’s credit that he is getting this to click. I thought Bruno did very well to tee up Schar for the third goal.

Yellow peril

The bad news was that bookings for Bruno and Schar will keep them out of the first leg of the semi-final.

Reality bites

It’s Arsenal in the semi final.

It’s a very hard tie over two legs. It will also add to the fixture congestion.

We’ll need to be at our absolute best to get through this one.

Workhorses

It was a strong Newcastle side and it always leads to concerns about burnout. The bench doesn’t look all that strong.

POSITIVES

Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Wednesday 18 December 7.45pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Tonali 9, 43 Schar 69

Wissa 90+1

Possession was Newcastle 54% Brentford 46%

Total shots were Newcastle 23 Brentford 10

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Brentford 3

Corners were Newcastle 8 Brentford 5

Touches in the box Newcastle 35 Brentford 23

Newcastle team v Brentford:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Trippier 77), Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 46), Murphy (Barnes 65), Isak (Osula 77), Gordon (Almiron 77)

Unused Subs:

Vlachodimos, Targett, Lewis Miley, Kelly

(Two Newcastle United players pick up suspensions on Wednesday night – Harsh – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Week commencing Monday 6 January – Arsenal v Newcastle TBC

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Week commencing Monday 3 February – Newcastle v Arsenal TBC

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)