Newcastle Defeated Again: Where is it Going Wrong for Eddie Howe in the Premier League?

Newcastle Defeated Again: Where is it Going Wrong for Eddie Howe's Men in the Premier League?

Newcastle United slump to another Premier League defeat, this time away from home against Brentford, where the hosts managed to come from behind to defeat the 10 men toon army 3-1. Eddie Howe has now lost five games domestically this season, and coincedentally, their fifth loss last season came against Brentford away in a six goal thriller finishing 4-2, and Kevin Schade was on the scoresheet for both games.

Last season, it took them 15 games to lose five games, this season we're on gameweek 11 as they huff and puff with back-to-back defeats in the league, previously coming up short against a rather dissapointing West Ham side by three goals to one. However, if last season is anything to go by this season, then the geordies shouldn't have to worry too much, as following that defeat to Brentford, they went on a nine game winning streak, only halted by Bournemouth on the 18th January (weirdly my birthday and i'm writing this article). In those nine games, Newcastle scored two or more goals in every one, and three or more in six of them, and they put four past Leicester at home, whilst Ipswich were the second four goal victims at Portman Road.

The rain hasn’t dampened the mood for the Newcastle fans at Ipswich today, as they saw their side win 4-0 at Portman Road.

Quality. 👏 #NUFC pic.twitter.com/SwHKxAbgZi

— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) December 21, 2024

Touching more on their most recent game against The Bees, a goalmouth scramble saw Newcastle survive early on with a spectacular reaction save from Nick Pope, and they were rewarded for their defensive efforts as Harvey Barnes took the lead inside 27 minutes. Barnes produced an excellent piece of skill, sending two Brentford defenders to the shops with a smart fake shot which put him onto his left foot, as he drilled the ball underneath the legs of an on-rushing Kelleher to send the toon faithful on the other end of the pitch into pandemonium.

Brentford used their superpower long throw effectively this week as Kayode launched the ball deep into Newcastle's box, and Kevin Schade met the ball, heading it home to equalise on 56 minutes. A long searching ball from Igor Thiago evades the Newcastle backline as a retreating Dan Burn catches Ouattara inside the box, and the referee not only gave a penalty, but a second yellow card to Burn, which put Newcastle down to ten men. Thiago converted the penalty and Brentford were in front for the first time in the game.

And if one goal wasn't enough, none other than Igor Thiago put the nail in the coffin for The Magpies, capitalising from a loose ball following a tackle by Malick Thiaw, mimicking the Harvey Barnes finish at the same end slotting the ball beneath Pope's legs to secure all three points.

Number 9️⃣ for our number 9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/5AQoR7R6DV

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) November 9, 2025

Newcastle in Europe: An Unexplainable Contrast

The reaction to the game and their recent run of form in the English top flight would undoubtedly leave many Newcastle fans scratching their heads in confusion, but some won't be worrying too much about the domestic trouble just yet, as their form in the newly formed Champions League 'league phase' has been nothing short of excellent, strangely.

The Magpies have scored a whopping 10 times in the league phase so far in just four games, whilst only managing to concede two, both coming in a defeat to Barcelona, and, let's be honest, there's no real shame in losing to the Spanish giants.

They bounced back in gameweek two by beating Union Saint Gilloise 4-0 away from home to create a statement to the rest of their fixtured opponents that they'd be no easy task. They then hosted Benfica, who again are no easy team, and brushed them aside winning 3-0, after a brace from Harvey Barnes, with a goal from Anthony Gordon which opened the scoring.

Most recently, they faced Athletico Bilbao, and won 2-0 in a hard fought victory, as Dan Burn scored the opener inside 11 minutes to set the tone early. Talk about a proper hero to zero moment...

•Newcastle• pic.twitter.com/sa5gUijI7h

— SimpsonsEFL (@EflSimpsons) November 5, 2025

And here we are at the present day, with Newcastle fans wondering how to balance their continental success with league success: 0 wins on the road, a lengthy injury list of first team regulars and an unwavering amount of hope in turning results around.

So, what next for Eddie Howe and Newcastle?

To say that Howe's position as manager is under scrutiny would be a little farfetched, after his recent form in the Champions League, and how it's so early on in the season, and just a few decent results could move The Magpies right back up to the European places, a position they've been so comfortable in since the highy successful takeover.

Next up for Newcastle sees them host a Manchester City side who has won 11 games in their past 14, losing just one against Aston Villa away from home. Similarly to Villa Park, St James' Park can be bolster an incredibly hostle atmosphere, making it tough for away sides, although it'll be tough to shake a rampant City side.

The Magpies then travel to France as they face Marseille in gameweek five of the Champions League, looking to potentially climb to the top of the new 36-team League Phase if results can fall kindly in their direction.

A trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium awaits Newcastle, as Everton have only lost once in their six league games in their new shiny, incredible, intimidating 52,000 capacity stadium which really gets ears ringing with the noise (I'm an Everton fan if you couldn't tell).

The noise when Jack Grealish hit the net. A Premier League record. 🤯🔊 pic.twitter.com/OTCfdfziRN

— Everton Extra (@Everton_Extra) October 6, 2025

And then it's two home games, Spurs and Burnley, both falling on a double gameweek, so it's best to use your triple captain on the gameweek beginning Tuesday 2 December lads.

A tough set of games awaits for Newcastle, but you know what they say, Pressure makes Diamonds. Will they replicate their Champions League form in the Premier League, or crumble under the pressure, and fall deeper into a position threatening relegation early on in England's top flight calendar?