Soccer
Keith Andrews is loving life with his “special” Brentford squad after his team ensured they will end the weekend in the Premier League’s top seven.
Brentford beat Newcastle United 3-2 on Saturday, with Dango Ouattara’s 85th-minute strike proving decisive at St James’ Park.
Having lost seven of their first eight Premier League away games this season (W1), Brentford have now won four of their last five on the road (L1).
Brentford completed just their second league double over Newcastle, previously doing so in the 1934-35 campaign.
In the process, they moved onto level points with defending champions Liverpool, who would drop below the Bees should they lose by two goals to Manchester City on Sunday.
Andrews told Sky Sports: “It’s a special group.
“I said that from day one and it came from a very genuine place and how I felt about the players having known them, known their qualities as people, known their capabilities as players and what we have done is gone from strength to strength and I love seeing the development and evolution of the team.
Newcastle have now dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (19). pic.twitter.com/9MKxg8rr23
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) February 7, 2026
“The underlying feeling at the moment is immense pride in the performance levels, the character. Whatever was thrown at us tonight, I thought we dealt with it really well and played a game that was needed coming to a place like this.”
Brentford were tipped to struggle after the departure of coach Thomas Frank as well as the sales of key attacking duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.
Wissa started for Newcastle on Saturday and saw a great chance to put the Magpies 2-0 up go to waste as he had a header cleared off the line by Vitaly Janelt, who equalised soon after.
Janelt headed in from Ouattara’s wicked cross, before Igor Thiago netted a spot-kick to put Brentford 2-1 up.
Bruno Guimaraes’ penalty restored parity in the 79th minute, but Ouattara marked his 100th Premier League appearance with the winner after a blistering counter-attack.
“He’s growing all the time,” Andrews said of Ouattara, who has scored in successive league games for the first time since 2022.
“The cross was sensational, and then the finish was outstanding. He’s constantly evolving his game, he’s a big part of our group.”
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