Brentford 3-1 Newcastle: Eddie Howe says ‘we let everyone down’

For Newcastle, the problems at the back are as worrying as the lack of goals.

Having failed to score in each of their first three away days this season, they could at least maintain a resilient backline to keep a clean sheet and secure a point against Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth.

But Newcastle have since conceded eight goals against Brentford, Brighton and West Ham, and a team of so-called giants at Gtech has finally disintegrated.

After Sven Botman managed to turn Michael Kayode’s long throw into his own goal, Kevin Schade headed side-level with goalkeeper Nick Pope at sea.

Guimaraes may have argued with referee Stuart Attwell that Pope had been blocked, but the goal was justified and Newcastle never recovered.

Dan Burn was extremely lucky not to give away a penalty for the first time after beating Dango Ouattara inside the area.

But rather than take Burn out there – at a time when the 6ft 7in defender was on a yellow card – Howe opted not to do so.

When left-back Lewis Hall finally entered the fray from the bench, his side were 2-1 down after Igor Thiago’s penalty, Burn had been sent off for a second yellow card for a foul on Ouattara and Pope had been substituted with a concussion in the afternoon when Joelinton also limped off.

But Newcastle’s defending got worse.

Malick Thiaw failed to intercept Mathias Jensen’s through pass for Brentford’s third goal and regular Botman was too slow to react as Thiago slotted the ball under substitute Aaron Ramsdale.

It was reminiscent of Newcastle’s display at Gtech at a similar stage last season, when the visitors lost 4-2.

This hurtful loss was a turning point, but nothing indicates that this team will start a spectacular nine-game winning streak again.

They seem far from that.

“We take full responsibility for what we deliver, and only we can change that,” Howe said.