Eddie Howe Hails 'Massive Win' as Newcastle Overcome Brentford

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe praised his team's professionalism and hailed their 2-1 win over Brentford as a 'massive win' in their push for a Champions League spot.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe expressed his delight with Sandro Tonali's stunning winner in their 2-1 victory over Brentford on Wednesday. Howe regarded Tonali's goal as a “big moment” in Newcastle's pursuit of a Champions League spot.

Tonali's 74th-minute strike was a highlight-reel moment, as the Italian midfielder fired a rocket past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken from an unlikely angle. However, Brentford boss Thomas Frank attributed the goal to luck, describing it as a “one in a million cross.” Tonali himself also acknowledged that fortune played a role in his decisive strike.

Despite the element of luck involved, Howe was thrilled with the outcome. Tonali's winner propelled Newcastle into fifth place in the Premier League, bolstering their Champions League aspirations. The victory marked a significant step forward for Howe's team, and they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.

Sandro Tonali's stunning winner for Newcastle United against Brentford was a topic of discussion, with the Italian midfielder himself acknowledging that luck played a role in the goal. “It was definitely a good shot but it was 70 per cent cross, I am going to be honest with you. It was perfect, the speed. I was a little bit lucky because the keeper was not in the goal,” Tonali said.

However, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe refused to downplay Tonali's achievement, instead praising his player's exceptional striking ability. “Let me say one thing about Sandro: he can hit a ball like no-one. When he strikes it, I fear for our goalkeepers' wrists sometimes because he can hit it that hard, so I wouldn't put it past him meaning that,” Howe said. By attributing the goal to Tonali's skill rather than just luck, Howe emphasized the significance of the strike in Newcastle's push for a Champions League spot.

A MASSIVE THREE POINTS AT ST. JAMES' PARK! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/lYlq1ZnMmX

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 2, 2025

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe acknowledged the significance of Sandro Tonali's winning goal against Brentford, highlighting its impact on the game and the team's season. “It was a big moment in the game because we needed it. At that moment, the game was very much in the balance, so it's a big moment in our season.”

The win marked Newcastle's return to action after their historic League Cup triumph over Liverpool, which ended a 56-year wait for a major trophy. Newcastle now sit one point ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea and one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City, with a game in hand. The top four teams in the Premier League qualify automatically for the Champions League, while the fifth-placed team may also secure entry depending on the outcomes of English clubs' remaining European fixtures.

The boss on tonight's win at St. James' Park 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/MxpowjA0b5

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 2, 2025

Howe expressed his satisfaction with the team's response in their first game since the Wembley victory. “I was really hoping the players would be professional, but Wembley behind them and move forward and work, and we did - and we had to work.” He emphasized the importance of the win, praising the team's efforts. “I think it was a massive win in our season. Credit to everybody because that wasn't an easy game.”