It may have only been 11 months ago but since Brentford's last visit to St James' Park so much has changed on Tyneside.
This was a day that was supposed to be a dream occasion for Eddie Howe but it turned into a nightmare for the Toon boss as he went down with Covid on the eve of the game. It meant Howe watched on via video link from his Hilton hotel room and Jason Tindall was left in charge on the sidelines.
A ding dong encounter unravelled as Newcastle went ahead through Jamaal Lascelles before Ivan Toney equalised. United then fell behind as Rico Henry scored before Joelinton made it 2-2 - and after Lascelles scored an own goal it was down to Allan Saint-Maximin to net the leveller.
