GORDON AND TONIC
Wilson is on the spot after Ant wins penalty
PENALTY king Callum Wilson secured the win Newcastle craved ahead of their trip to the San Siro. But it was hardly the performance which will have opponents AC Milan quaking in their boots when the Magpies return to Champions League action on Tuesday for the first time in 20 years. Eddie Howe claims he’s immune from the criticism which has been flying around following three straight defeats. But he’ll be tempted to raise a glass to the ice-cool finishing of Wilson, who maintained his 100 per cent penalty record in a black and white shirt. That 64th-minute spot-kick ended Brentford’s unbeaten record this season. And make no mistake about it, they could have nicked all three points against a below-par Toon who haven’t fired on all cylinders since their opening day 5-1 demolition of Aston Villa. Without creating too many chances, Brentford looked the more polished outfit for long periods with Newcastle clearly carrying a few scars from recent results. And Yoane Wissa should have equalised in injury time only to head wide of a gaping target after Nick Pope had failed to collect Mathias Jensen’s free-kick. The Geordies are renowned fast starters, feeding off the frenzied atmosphere and steamrollering opponents in the opening minutes. But this time Newcastle had to wait until the 27th minute for their first effort – a 35-yard Fabian Schar shot which was deflected behind. From the resulting corner they almost broke the deadlock with Mark Flekken somehow keeping out Bruno Guimaraes’ far-post header at point-blank range. Before that chance it was the Bees who had looked the better side, with in-form Bryan Mbeumo causing all sorts of problems down the right flank. Full-back Aaron Hickey might have scored inside five minutes only for his shot to hit Pope’s chest without the Toon keeper knowing much about it. Then on 23 minutes, after the recalled Sean Longstaff lost possession, Jensen flung in a wicked cross which would have found the unmarked Wissa but for a timely ricochet off Sven Botman. Just before the interval Brentford suffered a big blow
when Rico Henry was forced off after appearing to twist his knee in a tussle with Kieran Trippier. Newcastle did have the ball in the net just before the hour when Wilson bundled home after Flekken missed with his punch. The referee spared the Dutchman’s blushes, ruling that the striker had fouled him. But there was to be no reprieve three minutes later when he brought down Anthony Gordon with a rash lunge. Wilson smashed home from 12 yards for his third goal of the campaign to the collective relief of a distinctly nervy St James’ Park crowd.