Brentford 0-2 Newcastle: Player ratings as Christian Eriksen makes return to football
By Sean Walsh
From Brentford Community Stadium - Christian Eriksen made his sensational return to football from the bench in ten-man Brentford's 2-0 loss to Newcastle.
The Dane came on as a second half substitute with the hosts two goals and a man down, but showed glimpses of his brilliance nonetheless.
The Bees were reduced to ten men on the ten-minute mark. Josh Dasilva attempted to use his body to beat Matt Targett to a loose ball, but inadvertently planted his boot into the left-back's ankle. After a VAR check, Dasilva was dismissed for serious foul play.
Despite their one-man disadvantage, Brentford continued to look the better side in possession, though were nearly caught on the counter when Chris Wood rose to meet Ryan Fraser's cross, but his header was beaten away by David Raya.
And the Brentford resistance was broken after half an hour when Joelinton beat Kristoffer Ajer to another great cross from Fraser, heading down into the net.
Fraser went close to adding a goal of his own soon after the opener, but Raya produced a great reflex save to deny the Scot and Brentford were able to clear their lines.
Newcastle grabbed their second on the break after the Bees over-committed for a corner, with Fabian Schar slipping through Joe Willock to double the lead.
Brentford's first attempt came just after the interval when Christian Norgaard headed over from a Bryan Mbeumo free-kick, before Eriksen replaced Mathias Jensen, bringing all four corners of the stadium to their feet.
That change gave the Bees the shot in the arm they needed, immediately looking more dangerous and playing with a sense of direction.
Norgaard had a curling effort sail just over the top of Martin Dubravka's bar and Brentford continued pushing diligently for a way back into the contest.
But despite their bravery and adventure, Brentford were unable to grab an all-important goal and Newcastle return north with all three points.
Brentford player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
David Raya (GK) - 7/10 - Did all he could to keep the deficit down. Sold Fraser with a nice dummy.
Kristoffer Ajer (RB) - 3/10 - Found it tough dealing with Fraser and was beaten too easily for Joelinton's opener.
Pontus Jansson (CB) - 4/10 - A little rash but generally fine.
Ethan Pinnock (CB) - 6/10 - Played with command and authority in spite of the circumstances.
Rico Henry (LB) - 3/10 - Last man back for Newcastle's second. Out-paced by Schar and Willock.
2. Midfielders
Mathias Jensen (CM) - 4/10 - Was at least adventurous but Brentford needed more quality in his role, hence why he was the one hooked for Eriksen.
Christian Norgaard (CM) - 7/10 - Did his best to mop up and progress play in midfield.
Vitaly Janelt (CM) - 4/10 - Solid as a rock but his technical deficiencies in the final third were glaring.
3. Forwards
Josh Dasilva (RF) - N/A - Sure, he should have been sent off, but it was unfortunate and mistimed rather than malicious. Nonetheless, it completely changed the complexion of the match and the event.
Bryan Mbeumo (CF) - 3/10 - Very tentative and hesitant in possession, though did ask questions of Burn out of it.
Yoane Wissa (LF) - 3/10 - Similarly lacking in aggression and was replaced by Toney.
4. Substitutes
Christian Eriksen (CM, 51' for Jensen) - 7/10 - His arrival finally kicked Brentford into gear. A level above technically and Newcastle were clearly wary of the threat he posed.
Ivan Toney (CF, 62' for Wissa) - 6/10 - Gave the Bees a focal point when they desperately needed one.
Sergi Canos (RB, 72' for Ajer) - 5/10
Newcastle United player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Martin Dubravka (GK) - 5/10 - Little to do.
Emil Krafth (RB) - 6/10 - Coped with the threats of Henry and Wissa well.
Fabian Schar (CB) - 9/10 - Impeccable at both ends of the pitch.
Dan Burn (CB) - 6/10 - Largely fine but was given the runaround on occasion.
Matt Targett (LB) - 5/10 - Not one of his finest games but after Dasilva planted his studs into his ankle that was understandable.
6. Midfielders
Jonjo Shelvey (CM) - 7/10 - Calm and collected in the middle of the park, matching Norgaard in the red corner.
Joe Willock (CM) - 8/10 - Picked and chose his moments to come alive, essentially killing the game with Newcastle's second.
Joelinton (CM) - 9/10 - He's Brazilian. He only cost forty-million. The Toon think he's brilliant - it's Joelinton.
7. Forwards
Jacob Murphy (RW) - 8/10 - Genuinely hard to believe this wasn't Allan Saint-Maximin playing.
Chris Wood (CF) - 7/10 - Asked plenty of questions of the Bees backline but couldn't find a way to make a tangible impact.
Ryan Fraser (LW) - 9/10 - Howe will have been delighted that the Fraser he saw at Bournemouth was the one who showed up today.
8. Substitutes
Bruno Guimaraes (CM, 63' for Murphy) - 6/10 - Tidy in possession and little more but this was hardly the game to judge him in.
Jamaal Lascelles (CB, 83' for Willock) - N/A
Miguel Almiron (LW, 90' for Fraser) - N/A