100% dribbling, 12 duels won: Newcastle star is now as undroppable as Isak & Tonali

Newcastle United strengthened their grip on a potential Champions League berth with a crucial 2-1 victory over Brentford at a raucous St. James’ Park.

The hard-fought three points saw Eddie Howe’s side demonstrate both their attacking flair and resilient character as they overcame a Brentford fightback to maintain their push for European qualification.

Alexander Isak continued his sensational goalscoring form by breaking the deadlock just before halftime, reacting quickest to Jacob Murphy’s dangerous cross to poke home from close range. The Swedish striker’s 20th goal of an outstanding Premier League campaign underlined his status as one of the division’s most lethal finishers.

The match’s defining moment arrived in the 74th minute through Sandro Tonali’s astonishing strike from an improbable angle. Stationed near the right corner flag, the Italian midfielder appeared set to deliver a cross but instead lashed an audacious effort that soared over a startled Mark Flekken into the top corner.

Whether intentional or fortuitous, the goal showcased Tonali’s technical brilliance and cemented his growing influence in Newcastle’s midfield.

Brentford had briefly threatened to spoil the party when Bryan Mbeumo converted from the penalty spot after Nick Pope brought down Yoane Wissa. However, Thomas Frank’s side ultimately lacked the cutting edge to trouble Newcastle’s defense consistently, managing just one shot on target throughout the contest.

While Isak and Tonali grabbed the headlines, Joelinton delivered another powerhouse performance that demonstrated why he’s become indispensable to Howe’s system. The Brazilian midfielder dominated his battles across the pitch, winning 12 of 17 duels and maintaining an impressive 85% pass accuracy.

Midfield Battle: Key Statistics

Joelinton’s physical dominance and tactical intelligence provided the perfect platform for Newcastle’s creative players to flourish. His ability to break up play and launch attacks has been instrumental to the Magpies’ success this season, averaging a team-high 4.7 combined tackles, interceptions and clearances per game.

This victory propels Newcastle into fifth position, just one point behind Manchester City with a game in hand. The Magpies’ transformation under Howe has been remarkable, blending attacking verve with defensive solidity to emerge as genuine top-four contenders.

Key to their success has been the consistency of their core players. Isak has started all 26 of his Premier League appearances, while Joelinton has featured in all 25 of his available matches.

This reliability, combined with moments of individual brilliance like Tonali’s wonderstrike, gives Newcastle a formidable foundation as they approach the season’s decisive phase.

With European football now a realistic target, Newcastle’s hierarchy faces an intriguing summer. Maintaining the services of stars like Isak and Bruno Guimarães will be crucial, while adding depth to cope with potential Champions League commitments represents another challenge.

For now, Howe can reflect on a job well done as his side continues to punch above their weight. The victory over Brentford showcased Newcastle’s growing maturity – able to grind out results when not at their fluent best.

This resilience, combined with their attacking quality, makes them a dangerous proposition for any Premier League opponent as the race for Europe intensifies.