Eddie Howe hails ‘big moment’ for Newcastle United as Sandro Tonali strikes it lucky
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Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali celebrates after the match against Brentford on April 2.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said Sandro Tonali’s eye-catching winner in the 2-1 victory over Brentford on April 2 was a “big moment” in their push to qualify for the Champions League.
Tonali fired Newcastle into fifth place in the English Premier League as the Italian midfielder’s 74th-minute rocket beat Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken from an improbable angle at St James’ Park.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank claimed it was a lucky goal, describing Tonali’s winner as a “one in a million cross”.
Even Tonali admitted there was an element of fortune to his strike.
“It was definitely a good shot but it was 70 per cent cross, I am going to be honest with you. It was perfect, the speed. I was a little bit lucky because the ’keeper was not in the goal,” he said.
But Howe was convinced Tonali deserved credit for his headline-grabbing blast, especially since it gave fresh impetus to Newcastle’s bid to return to Europe’s elite club competition.
“Let me say one thing about Sandro: he can hit a ball like no one. When he strikes it, I fear for our goalkeepers’ wrists sometimes because he can hit it that hard, so I wouldn’t put it past him meaning that,” Howe said.
“It was a big moment in the game because we needed it. At that moment, the game was very much in the balance, so it’s a big moment in our season.”
The League Cup winners, playing for the first time since beating Liverpool to clinch their first major trophy for 56 years, are one point ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea, who host Tottenham Hotspur on April 3 in a match which took place after press time.
The Magpies are one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City with a game in hand.
The top four qualify automatically for the Champions League, with fifth place also likely to secure entry, depending on the results of the English clubs’ remaining European action this season.
Howe, who was pleased with the way Newcastle responded in the first game since their historic day at Wembley, added: “I was really hoping the players would be professional, but Wembley behind them and move forward and work, and we did – and we had to work.
“I think it was a massive win in our season. Credit to everybody because that wasn’t an easy game.”
Brentford scorer Bryan Mbeumo, who added to his impeccable record from the spot after netting his 10th penalty from 10 attempts, said 11th-placed Brentford had deserved more, with Ethan Pinnock also hitting the post with a header in the second half.
“It was a good performance but at the end it was not enough. I think we knew it was going to be a tough game against a very good side and at the end it was a bit frustrating. It is hard to take,” said the Cameroon international. AFP, REUTERS
