Eddie Howe tactical masterstroke, Alexander Isak magic keep Newcastle United’s Champions League charge on course

LONDON: Risk-taker Eddie Howe admits he “threw caution to the wind” in search of three points at Brentford after his half-time masterstroke ensured Newcastle United maintained their Champions League charge.

An Ivan Toney penalty, having seen one saved by Nick Pope earlier, gave the Bees the lead before Newcastle blew their rivals away in the second period thanks to a Joelinton-created David Raya own goal, followed by a moment of absolute magic by Alexander Isak.

The game, however, was very much defined by Newcastle’s head coach and his introduction of Wilson at the midway point. Victory sees the Magpies further cement their spot right in the European mix — and this run of five wins on the bounce in the Premier League has many in the fanbase already dusting off their passports.

Newcastle remain third in the table, jumping back ahead of Manchester United after their 2-0 win over Everton earlier in the day.

Howe said: “It was a very tough game. It was very physical, as we knew it would be. We suffered in the first half. But second half, what a response from a group of players that have played three games in six days. They were asked to dig really deep for the result, but responded really well.

“We changed things tactically [in the second half]. Sometimes that can give you a lift in itself. We knew we were desperate for the result and threw caution to the wind a little bit. The players responded well physically, even though we were a little bit fatigued from the week we have had. That is down to the characters we have.”

Howe made two changes to the side who hammered West Ham in midweek, one of which was enforced. Isak and Joe Willock were both recalled with the injured Allan Saint-Maximin missing out and Callum Wilson