A no-nonsense performance from Newcastle United on Wednesday night saw the Magpies secure a commanding 3-1 win over Brentford in their EFL Cup quarter-final tie, with Sandro Tonali scoring twice before Fabian Schar added a third to send Eddie Howe's men into the semi-finals.
Newcastle made the ideal start to the first half as Tonali brilliantly fired into the net inside 10 minutes, and the midfielder's night got even better when he doubled both his tally and Newcastle's lead just minutes before half time, marking the first time the Italian has scored twice in a game since May 2022 for AC Milan.
Brentford were slightly improved after the restart as they searched for a way back into the tie, but it was Newcastle who scored the vital third goal of the game as Schar put the final nail in the coffin for the visitors, securing the victory for the Magpies to ensure their place in the EFL Cup semi-finals.
Thomas Frank's side did continue pushing for a goal heading into the final minutes of the match, and they finally found their breakthrough when Yoane Wissa converted from close range in added time, but it was too little, too late for Brentford as their cup dreams were squashed by Newcastle.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Neither team were at their best tonight, but it was a comfortable performance for Newcastle who never truly got out of first gear as they cruised to a commanding 3-1 victory, courtesy of two goals from Tonali and one from Schar.
Howe will be delighted with his side's control over the fixture, seeing the Magpies build on their 4-0 demolition of Leicester City with another dominant performance, highlighted by their 23 shots to Brentford's 10, many of which came in the final minutes of the tie.
As for Brentford, they were far from their usual attacking selves, managing just one shot in the first half, while four of their 10 came in the final five minutes when the game was already beyond reach.
The defeat extends a major problem for Frank's men this season, with Brentford having recorded just one win from 10 away fixtures across all competitions, a 1-0 win against League Two Colchester United.
That is in stark contrast to their unbeaten start to the campaign at home, where they have won nine of their 10 matches, an issue that Frank will be eager to resolve as the season progresses if Brentford are to mount a serious push for a return to the top half of the Premier League.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. BRENTFORD HIGHLIGHTS
Sandro Tonali goal vs. Brentford (9th min, Newcastle United 1-0 Brentford)
Sandro Tonali, take a bow...👏
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
What a HIT! pic.twitter.com/tJYyYb2Ahh
Newcastle have the lead, what a hit from Tonali!
Tino Livramento receives the ball on the right side, surges into the box and towards the byline, where the fullback drives a cross into the box, but Nathan Collins is able to clear.
The clearance only gets as far as Tonali just outside the box, who perfectly slices a first-time strike into the bottom right corner to give Newcastle the lead in superb fashion.
Sandro Tonali goal vs. Brentford (43rd min, Newcastle United 2-0 Brentford)
What a night it is turning into for Sandro Tonali! 🔥⚡ pic.twitter.com/94M6C5wsT5
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
Newcastle double their lead and Tonali grabs his second!
Anthony Gordon fires a corner towards the penalty spot, where Joelinton has dragged his marker away, allowing Tonali to race into the box and connect with a volley.
Tonali's effort takes a slight deflection as it changes course into the right corner, but Newcastle will not care as their lead is doubled just before the break.
Fabian Schar goal vs. Brentford (69th min, Newcastle United 3-0 Brentford)
Fabien Schar adds a Newcastle third! ⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/SltC8zs9um
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
Schar adds a third from close range, surely that is the game done for Newcastle now!
A set-piece once again causes problems for Brentford as a corner drops for Lewis Hall inside the box, and the defender's second bite at the cherry is saved by Mark Flekken, but only as far as Bruno Guimaraes.
Guimaraes looks certain to shoot with Flekken stranded after the initial save, but the midfielder unselfishly squares the ball to Schar, who nonchalantly taps into the empty net to add Newcastle's third.
Yoane Wissa goal vs. Newcastle United (91st min, Newcastle United 3-1 Brentford)
Wissa gifts his side with a goal...
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
Can Brentford sneak another one? 👀 pic.twitter.com/MtbTPal4xv
Wissa has scored for Newcastle, but it is sure to only be a consolation for Brentford.
Mikkel Damsgaard superbly skips past a series of Newcastle defenders before playing a wonderful pass through to Bryan Mbeumo, who then plays a perfectly weighted first-time pass to Wissa inside the box.
Wissa lets the ball run into a more central area before slotting past Nick Pope and into the near corner, a consolation goal for the visitors.
MAN OF THE MATCH - SANDRO TONALI
© Imago
The midfielder was superb tonight, not only scoring two well-taken goals to initially put Newcastle into a commanding first-half lead, but also proving his worth in other aspects of his performance.
Tonali won six duels and made four tackles to help Newcastle maintain control of the game and prevent Brentford from springing their dangerous counterattacks, while he also made a massive 56 passes, more than any other player on his side.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. BRENTFORD MATCH STATS
Possession: Newcastle United 54%-46% Brentford
Shots: Newcastle United 23-10 Brentford
Shots on target: Newcastle United 5-3 Brentford
Corners: Newcastle United 8-5 Brentford
Fouls: Newcastle United 11-9 Brentford
BEST STATS
Sandro Tonali hadn't scored for Newcastle since his debut vs Aston Villa in August 2023.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 18, 2024
Tonight he's got two. 🤪 pic.twitter.com/TWxiDfuOD9
WHAT NEXT?
Newcastle's attention will return to the Premier League as they face Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon at Portman Road, where the Magpies will be aiming to build on a superb 4-0 victory against Leicester City in their last league outing as they look to push into the top half of the table.
Meanwhile, Brentford will aim to maintain their impressive unbeaten home record so far this season as they welcome high-flying Nottingham Forest to the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday.
Ellis Stevens
