Newcastle v Brentford player ratings: Barnes 7, Wilson 8; Pinnock 8, Mbeumo 5

Magpies end three-game Premier League losing streak with 1-0 win at St James' Park

NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 7: Forced into early block from Hickey that had taken slight deflection off Pope. That was as tough as it got save wise from the big keeper who was hardly teste, bar one late cross that caught him out and gave half chance to Youssa. Getty

Kieran Trippier 6: Some uncharacteristically poor dead balls from the England full-back, one particularly poor free kick when very well placed wide of penalty area in first half didn't get over first defender. Attacked whenever possible and captain remains leader and driving force of team. PA

Sven Botman 8: Back from ankle injury which saw him miss Brighton defeat and was his usual calm and collected self. Some good interceptions and blocks. Helped keep Mbeumo and Youssa relatively quiet. AFP

Fabian Schar 8: Left with bloody mouth after getting arm in face off Youssa but did well against a very physical opponent. Usual good distribution out from back from Swiss defender. AFP

Dan Burn 6: All Brentford’s early attacking came down his flank and the big Geordie struggled. He also lost possession a few times which frustrated the home fans. But redeemed himself with one superb covering tackle on Schade three minutes from end. AFP

Sean Longstaff 6: Another making first start of season and not quite up to last season’s high standards but improved as game went on. Usual tireless performance. Reuters

Bruno Guimaraes 7: Had Newcastle’s first attempt on target in 29th minute but headed straight at keeper from close range. The star of Newcastle’s midfield for last 18 months is yet to hit top gear this season and isnlt his usual smiling self but still produced some of his trademark passing between the lines. getty

Elliott Anderson 6: Highly-rated young attacker given rare start and while he was neat and tidy in possession, never took game by scruff of neck or threaten on goal. Still waiting for his breakthrough performance for first team. Getty

Anthony Gordon 6: Always a handful with his pace but generally buzzed round without cutting edge until he was brought down in box by clumsy Flekken challenge that led to Wilson scoring penalty. Booked late on for dissent. AFP

Harvey Barnes 7: First start for summer signing from Leicester and sent one dangerous low ball across six-yard box that needed slightest touch by Flecken to prevent Newcastle goal. His direct running caused Brentford regular problems. AFP

Newcastle's Callum Wilson celebrates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the English Premier League match between Newcastle and Brentford in Newcastle, Britain, 16 September 2023. EPA/PETER POWELL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club / league / player publications

SUBS: Miguel Almiron (On for Barnes 83’) N/A. Getty

BRENTFORD RATINGS: Mark Flekken 5: First save was just before half-hour mark to block Guimaraes header, then got vital glove to Barnes ball across box moments later. Flapped at cross which allowed Wilson to poke home but rescued by dubious foul call. Needless challenge on Gordon to give away penalty. PA

Aaron Hickey 7: Drilled shot in opening few minutes straight at Pope as Brentford found a bit of early joy down Newcastle’s left flank. Booked for blocking Pope attempt to launch quick counter-attack. Slack back pass led to keeper giving away penalty. AFP

Ethan Pinnock 8: Did well to hold off Wilson when Newcastle striker would have been clean through in first half and enjoyed his battle with the England player throughout. Getty

Ben Mee 7: Lucky not to pick up first-half booking for going through back of Guimaraes. The Bees defender limped off injured in second half after a was had been a very good performance at St James’ Park. EPA

Nathan Collins 6: Vital header away after Flekken had saved saves Guimaraes header. Also nice bit of tidying up after teammate Piddock missed a header late in first half, reading potential danger well. Too slow to close down Barnes in run up to penalty being conceded. Booked late on for foul on Wilson. Reuters

Rico Henry 7: Pacy left-back had been doing well up against Gordon but picked up injury late in first half after twisting his knee following slip. Looked like he might need stretcher but picked himself up before limping off down tunnel. EPA

Mathias Jensen 7: Supplied lovely pass to Hickey for Scot’s early chance that was saved and saw another cross almost pick out Youssa. Less influential as game went on. AFP

Christian Norgaard 6: Brentford captain booked for poor challenge to bring down Barnes who was in full flow just before break and could arguably have saw red soon after for challenge on Trippier. Reuters

Vitaly Janelt 7: German helped make life difficult for Newcastle’s midfield with his pressing and workrate exemplary. EPA

Bryan Mbeumo 5: Fine start to season with four goals but not a sniff of goal here and got little joy out of Newcastle’s centre-backs. Harsh penalty for handball given against him was rightly reversed after VAR check. Getty

Youane Wissa 5: Failed to connect with ball when deflected cross looped into box in first half. Delayed putting a ball through to Mbeumo that would have put teammate though on goal. Booked for catching Schar in face with arm. Getty

SUBS: Mads Roerslev (On for Henry 41’) 7: Slotted straight into defence without any problems. AFP

Neale Maupay (On for Mee 72’) 5: Part of a triple Bees change as they looked for leveller. Frenchman never looked like getting it. AFP

Kevin Schade (On for Jabnelt 72’) 5: No chance for German to make impact. EPA

Frank Onyeka (On for Nogaard 72’) 5: Annoyed home fans when he went down holding face stopping a Newcastle counter-attack despite there being little contact. Reuters Keane Lewis-Potter (On for Hickey 82’) N/A.

A seccond-half penalty from Callum Wilson earned Newcastle United a 1-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday, ending a three-game Premier League losing streak.

The England striker, who this week signed a one-year contract extension at the club, scored his third goal of the season in what was his first start to earn the Magpies a second victory.

It was a much-needed three points after successive defeats against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton, coming just three days before they take on AC Milan at the San Siro in their Champions League group-stage opener.

Wilson finished confidently from the spot after 64 minutes not long after he had been harshly denied a goal for a supposed foul on Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

The penalty was awarded after Flekken's needless challenge on Anthony Gordon and Wilson made no mistake, much to the relief of what had been a slightly nervy St James' Park crowd.

“Pressure is for tyres,” said the 31-year-old. “For me, practice in training and on a match day you've done it so many times and it's just repetition, stay composed and that's what I did.

“It [the win] was massive. The break probably came at a good time for us, we were on a run of defeats and needed back to winning ways. The break got us to regroup, we worked on a few things we had to improve. We had to win ugly and three points were the most important today.”

On his disallowed goal, Wilson added: “Obviously I jumped up with the goalkeeper, challenging as you do. I think they get a little bit too much protection from the goalkeepers. At corners, they're pushing you but if you touch them back it's a foul.”

As for Brentford, it was a vast improvement on last year's 5-1 battering at the same ground and the away side came away unhappy with the penalty call.

“We could have taken something away from here so it's a tough one to take,” said Christian Noorgard.

“We had big chances in the second half where we could have gone in front, before they got their soft penalty.

“I heard the referee say 'not for me, not for me' so maybe the assistant gave it. I just think in a game like this it is not the right decision.

“It's frustrating of course, you come here as the underdogs and this small decision turns it. It's a tough one to take.”

For all their impressive defensive organisation, Brentford were less dangerous going forward and rarely troubled Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal. Their best chance to score came in the opening few minutes, when Aaron Hickey's shot was blocked by Pope.

“There was a lot of relief in our emotions at the end,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, whose team face Serie A giants Milan on Tuesday night.

“It wasn't a fantastic performance from us but it was a determined one, a gritty one. It was one that wanted to show our response from the Brighton performance.

“I think we've seen that, a clean sheet, a massive three points, and now we can move forward.”

In the gallery above you can see the player ratings from Saturday's game. To move on to the next photo click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.