Bruno Guimaraes wants Newcastle to put defence first after Brentford loss

Newcastle’s winless run stretched to four Premier League games as Eddie Howe’s side lost 4-2 away at Brentford on Saturday.

As the hosts maintained their unbeaten home record in league action this season, the full-time whistle drew frustration and more questions for the Magpies, who failed to break the Bees down in the closing stages.

A chaotic first half saw four goals fly in at a windy Gtech Community Stadium, as Newcastle twice came from behind, via Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes before the break.

Their defensive fragility, however, was punished after the restart, as Nathan Collins prodded home, as the visitors defence failed to deal with a punted free kick into their penalty area from Mark Flekken.

As Howe’s charges pushed for a third equaliser late on, their ragged back line was exposed again, as Kevin Schade raced through to slot home a clinching goal.

Captain Bruno Guimaraes offered no excuses at full time as the Brazil international struggled to explain why his team are struggling against direct attacks this season.

Defeat. ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/wYXEFJhIVI

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 7, 2024

“It’s very disappointing. In the first half we had some good moments, but after the third goal we lost our way, we lost control,” he told PLP, via BBC Sport.

“We have always been reactive, we need to concede a goal to score one ourselves. We never score first, we concede a lot of goals, this cannot happen. We have to find a way to be consistent.

“After we conceded the third goal, we became a mess, gave the ball away a lot, and we were punished. We have to turn things around. Last season we had one of the best defences in the league, now we concede a lot. It’s about the whole team, we have to find a way not to concede.”

Guimaraes’ frustration is backed up by some concerning recent defensive numbers for Newcastle, with no clean sheet in their last five league games, and 11 goals conceded.

However, the doom and gloom for Newcastle was in sharp contrast to a buoyant Thomas Frank, who saw his side record a fifth successive home Premier League win.

The Danish boss hailed the resilience of his players, and singled out goalscorers Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa for praise, as the duo moved onto nine Premier League goals each in 2024/25.

“I’m very happy, it was a great performance in many ways. The way we performed today physically, and with quality against a very good Newcastle side, I’m very proud of my players.

“Wissa, the way he links up and goes forward, and gets behind the back line for tap ins. Bryan Mbeumo today was unplayable. The way he holds the ball up and links play, as he did to Kevin Schade [for the fourth goal] was very impressive.”