Match report and highlights as Newcastle earn comfortable 2-0 win at Brentford, who have Josh Dasilva sent off after 11 minutes; Joelinton and Joe Willock score in first half to lift Magpies above their hosts in the table; Christian Eriksen makes emotional return as second-half substitute
Saturday 26 February 2022 21:10, UK
Christian Eriksen's remarkable return to professional football was a rare bright spot for 10-man Brentford as their wretched form continued with a 2-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Newcastle.
The Denmark international came on as a second-half substitute for the Bees and was greeted by a huge round of applause from all four corners of the Brentford Community Stadium - as well as from Newcastle's players - as he made his first appearance since suffering a cardiac arrest on the field during Euro 2020 last summer.
But unfortunately for Eriksen, Brentford were already two goals and a man down when he made his bow, and he was unable to inspire them to an unlikely comeback as the west Londoners slipped to their seventh defeat in eight Premier League games.
The result deepens Brentford's relegation fears and they have fallen below Newcastle - who are now unbeaten in their last seven league fixtures - in the table.
The game began in the worst possible way for the Bees as Josh Dasilva - who was making just his second start of the season after a long injury lay-off - was given a straight red card for an ugly challenge on Matt Targett after 11 minutes.
Thomas Frank's side briefly rallied and they were spurred on by the home fans, who regularly took their frustration out on referee Mike Dean, but it didn't take long for Newcastle to begin to assert the dominance that their numerical advantage demanded.
Dasilva's untimely exit had forced Kristoffer Ajer into an unfamiliar right-back role, and he was given a torrid time by Ryan Fraser, who consistently got the better of the defender and regularly led the Magpies' increasingly frequent forays into the Brentford half.
Unsurprisingly, it was the Scottish winger that eventually set up Newcastle's opener when he once again beat Ajer and sent in a cross from the left that was powered home by Joelinton (33), who appears liberated after being converted into a midfielder by Eddie Howe.
Newcastle then doubled their lead - and effectively guaranteed the three points - when they took advantage of Brentford leaving barely anyone back for a corner and counter-attacked through Fabian Schar.
The defender charged upfield before squaring for Joe Willock, who curled the ball past David Raya (44) to follow up his first goal of the season last week with his second in as many matches.
Eriksen's return early in the second half briefly lifted the home crowd again, but they were unable to trouble Newcastle, whose new-found defensive resilience restricted the Bees to just one shot on target and leaves the Londoners searching for their first league win since January 2.
Howe's Newcastle revolution began with a chaotic 3-3 draw at home to Brentford in November, but the Magpies' 2-0 win against the same opponents on Saturday is a perfect demonstration of how far they have come under his leadership.
Howe spoke before the game of how much more confident his side now is and that was clear in west London, as they took full advantage of Dasilva's red card to dominate their hosts, recording more than 60 per cent of possession and having more than four times as many shots as the Bees.
While Newcastle's splurge in the January transfer window has clearly upgraded their squad, the revival of the likes of Fraser and Joelinton is a testament to Howe's work on the training ground.
Fraser was a bit-part player under former boss Steve Bruce, but has nailed down a role on the wing under the new regime, while Joelinton looks reborn as a marauding midfielder.
Fraser was a constant thorn in Brentford's side from his position on the left and, as well as assisting Joelinton's goal, he created more chances, attempted more crosses and had more touches in the final third than any of his team-mates.
Joelinton, meanwhile, will hope he can play Brentford every week - he has just two goals this season, but both have come against Frank's side.
His goal - a powerful header after a late run from midfield - was indicative of his new role under Howe.
The Brazilian attempted more dribbles than any of Newcastle's players as he charged through Brentford's midfield, while he also showed an impressive work rate, winning more duels and regaining possession in the final third on more occasions than any of his team-mates.
Howe's ability to revive players who struggled under Bruce and mould them into a side alongside his new signings is looking key to keeping Newcastle in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe said he would resist the urge to become "delirious" after Newcastle's fourth win in five games, and revealed he felt his side could have exerted more control over 10-man Brentford.
"I'm never satisfied in this moment because the season is still all to fight for," he said. "I don't think me being delirious is going to help in anyway.
"I stay very calm through the good and bad, but my big search is for improvement and it will be until I leave the club.
"I wanted a bit more control with the extra man, I wanted us to be more dominant, I wanted us to create more. With the ball I think we have to improve."
Howe's side are now 14th in the Premier League - four points above the relegation zone - but the head coach said: "It's going to be tight right till the end.
"We don't want to be involved, we want to elevate ourselves away from trouble as quickly as possible, but there's no guarantee on that.
"We're in a really good run of form, we want to maintain this for as long as possible, but we have some tough fixtures to come."
Thomas Frank is convinced Christian Eriksen will help steer Brentford clear of relegation after the midfielder completed his emotional return to football.
"I think for everyone in football it was a big moment," said the Bees boss. "He got a big reception from the Newcastle fans and all our fans, and it was big for Christian and his family.
"It was nice to see and hopefully now he can talk with his feet and speak only about football.
"I've been privileged to see him in training over the last three weeks, and you saw some glimpses of brilliance here, the balls in behind, some of the passing.
"I'm convinced 100 per cent he will help us going forward, He's a top, top player and he's going to add a lot of value to our team."
Speaking to Sky Sports, Eriksen said: "If you take away the result, I'm one happy man. To go through what I've been through, being back is a wonderful feeling.
"Now I want to get the feeling and touch back, that football feeling, and then to help Brentford stay in the Premier League."
Ryan Fraser tormented Kristoffer Ajer after the Brentford defender was forced to switch to the right-back position - so much so that the Norwegian was replaced after 70 minutes.
Brentford visit Norwich at Carrow Road in the Premier League at 3pm next Saturday, while Newcastle host Brighton at St James' Park at the same time and on the same day.
