When the full-time whistle blew at St James’ Park after Newcastle United’s 3-3 draw against Brentford last November, their long search for a first league victory of the campaign rumbled on.
But Newcastle delivered promising signs that a revival could be on the horizon in Eddie Howe’s debut (albeit watching from his hotel after contracting Covid) and even Brentford boss Thomas Frank acknowledged the difference in style and mentality.
“100%. Definitely much more front-footed,” Frank revealed last November. “Definitely much more aggressive in the pressure and I think, in all aspects, it was a team that wanted to play a bit more.