Eddie Howe Concedes Performance Has Fallen Short As Newcastle Lose To Brentford

Newcastle United slipped to a 3-2 Premier League defeat against Brentford at St James' Park, prompting Eddie Howe to admit personal shortcomings. Dango Ouattara struck an 85th-minute winner on a swift counter-attack, condemning Newcastle United to a third loss in four home matches and deepening concern around the team's recent form.

Howe acknowledged that Newcastle United's struggles start with the head coach, stressing personal accountability after another game lost from a leading position. Newcastle United have now dropped 19 points from winning positions this Premier League season, more than any other side, underlining a repeated pattern that is threatening their campaign.

Reflecting on those problems, Howe did not hide from criticism. Howe said:

"There's a harsh reality for me. I need to think long and hard about me. I need to work better and do more, work out solutions. I need to take full responsibility for what you see on the pitch. "

Howe continued to describe the pressure Newcastle United's situation brings, while stressing that personal standards remain the main driver. Howe said: "I always feel under pressure, so it's irrelevant to me. The pressure I put on myself couldn't be more extreme. I'm obviously not doing my job well enough. "

The match itself swung several times. Sven Botman put Newcastle United ahead, before Brentford turned the score around before half-time, drawing jeers from sections of the home crowd. Bruno Guimaraes levelled from the penalty spot to make it 2-2, yet Ouattara had the final word on a landmark 100th Premier League appearance.

Howe described a damaging week in which Newcastle United lost three games and spoke about the psychological effect. Howe said: "It is a massive disappointment. It is damaging. It is damaging for our psychology, but there is only one way to solve that, and it is to dig out a win from somewhere. "

Howe felt Newcastle United were close to turning the match in their favour before the late blow. Howe said: "A strange game because, at 2-2, you think you're going to go on and win it. The game got away from us with a really poor third goal. We need to do it in control, and we weren't in control of the transition well enough. "

Game management has become a central concern for Howe, who highlighted a lack of conviction when leading. Howe said: "When we have been leading, we haven't gone with the conviction to put the game to bed. I think it has been a feature of our performances this season. We pride ourselves on finding ways to win, and we have done historically, but at the moment, we are not. "

Howe defended the effort levels within the Newcastle United squad, while accepting performances fall below previous standards. Howe said: "We are battling, we are fighting. The players are 100% trying. I don't think we are playing at our best and, at the moment, we are on the wrong side of every mistake, and it is something we have to rectify quickly. " Howe added the key qualities needed now: "Character. Resilience. Spirit. Fight. All of those key characteristics are what we need at the moment. "

Defeat at St. James' Park.pic.twitter.com/QnTSwaIUSvNewcastle United (@NUFC) February 7, 2026

Captain Kieran Trippier stressed that Newcastle United's squad, not Howe, must take responsibility for the current Premier League run. Trippier said: "I take full responsibility as a senior player in the dressing room. It's nothing about the manager. We are going through a tough spellno doubt about it. We need to get our heads down. "

Trippier pointed to experience within the group and the demands of the season. Trippier said: "It is my responsibility, the senior players, to calm things down and lead by example. I have been in this place many times in my career, as other senior players have, so it is my responsibility to help the players because it is a demanding season. "

Home form has historically been strong for Newcastle United, which adds to the frustration around recent results. Trippier said: "Over the past couple of years, we have been a real force at home. But we can't put our heads downthe reality is, we've got another big game midweek, but it is tough to take, of course. "

Trippier repeatedly defended Howe, underlining that performances lie with the squad. Trippier said: "I want to say it is nothing about the manager. We take responsibility for the performances. The manager puts the plan out and we try and execute it. I am not going down that route about the manager, I would never do that. It is us players who have to take responsibility on the pitch. "

Looking ahead, Trippier urged Newcastle United to respond together for the rest of the Premier League campaign. Trippier said: "Now, we have to regroup, put performances in and start winning games for ourselves, the supporters and the club, and for the manager as well. " The defeat leaves Newcastle United searching for both stability and confidence before their next fixture.