Brentford claimed a historic first top-flight head-to-head double over Newcastle United after striking late to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory at St James’ Park, extending their impressive away form with a fifth win in six competitive road matches.

The contest was contentious from the outset, with controversy arriving as early as the second minute when Keane Lewis-Potter burst in behind the defence and went to ground under pressure from Kieran Trippier. Despite the Newcastle defender appearing to tug his shirt, neither the referee nor VAR deemed the incident worthy of a penalty or a red card.

Newcastle took time to settle but gradually began to assert themselves, with Harvey Barnes narrowly deflecting Jacob Murphy’s effort wide before the hosts eventually broke the deadlock midway through the first half. Sven Botman peeled away from his marker to meet Bruno Guimarães’ deep, hopeful delivery, powering a header down into the turf and up into the roof of the net.

Brentford, however, were rewarded for a disciplined first-half display with a deserved equaliser on 37 minutes. Dango Ouattara delivered a precise ball into the box, which Vitaly Janelt expertly glanced back across goal and into the far corner.

The visitors then completed the turnaround just before the break in controversial fashion. Mathias Jensen’s goalbound strike was blocked on the line by the outstretched arm of Jacob Murphy, leaving little doubt about the decision. Igor Thiago stepped up and calmly dispatched the resulting penalty to register his 17th league goal of the season.

Newcastle felt they should have been awarded a spot-kick of their own early in the second half when Rico Henry made contact with Trippier’s cross, but officials ruled that the ball struck his shoulder rather than his arm, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

The Magpies struggled to generate momentum after the interval, with their first meaningful effort arriving after the hour when Malick Thiaw’s long-range attempt was tipped around the post by Caoimhín Kelleher.

Relief finally arrived for Newcastle just over 10 minutes from time as Michael Kayode tripped Guimarães in the area, allowing the midfielder to dust himself down and confidently roll the penalty into the corner to level the scores and set up a tense finale.

That equaliser ultimately counted for little. Brentford delivered a ruthless late blow when Ouattara’s driven effort squirmed under Nick Pope and nestled into the bottom corner, silencing St James’ Park and sealing a famous victory for the Bees.

The win lifts Brentford back into seventh place following Everton’s earlier success over Fulham, while Newcastle slip further off the European pace, increasing the pressure on Eddie Howe.