Brentford pays tribute to ‘very impressive’ Newcastle duo after 5-1 win

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Thomas Frank paid tribute to Eddie Howe and two-goal hero Bruno Guimaraes after Brentford’s 5-1 thumping away from home at Newcastle United in the Premier League this weekend, speaking via the Shields Gazette. 

Following last month’s 1-1 home draw with newly-promoted Bournemouth, some rather uncomfortable questions were starting to be asked of Howe’s side. Did Newcastle have the tools to open up a deep-lying defence and turn their possession into productivity?

Well, two games, two wins and nine goals later, that question has been answered in rather emphatic fashion. If Newcastle looked like a blunt object against the Cherries, they have resembled a surgeon’s scalpel against Fulham and Brentford, scything through their opposition time and again, even if the Cottagers did have ten men for the majority of last week’s 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage. 

The masterful Guimaraes assisted Miguel Almiron’s sumptuous volley in West London. And the Brazil international ensured it would be his name adorning the scoresheet seven days later, following up a clever header from a Kieran Trippier cross with a laser-guided strike from the edge of the box. 

Bruno Guimaraes shines as Newcastle United batter Brentford

“I think he was good,” sighs Frank, who’s Brentford side could not cope with Guimaraes’ energy, industry and invention.

“Fair play. He was good, and I think he’s a good player. A very good signing for Newcastle. The set piece goal is good, but we need to avoid that. His second goal is well taken.”

It is now 11 months since Newcastle handed the reigns to Eddie Howe following the drawn-out departure of Steve Bruce. Flash forward to October 2022, and this Magpies side are improving almost by the week; European qualification a very real possibility. 

Even Simon Jordan is having second thoughts about Howe’s Newcastle these days. 

“Very impressive,” Frank adds when asked about his opposite number. “I thought, when he was hired, it was a good signing. A good choice.

“I think he made them gel and very difficult to beat throughout the last 11 months. That’s important. They’re a very aggressive and front-foot team, and they have a lot of power and dynamism in the team. I like the way they play.”