Eddie Howe ‘takes responsibility’ after Newcastle ‘let everybody down’ with 3-1 defeat at Brentford

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking to Sky Sports: “Desperately disappointing result. It was always going to be a difficult game today. We dealt with the physical challenge really well in the first half and then the goals came at very bad times for us. It is a disappointing performance and result and we have to take that on the chin. There is no excuse for it.

“We weren’t creating a lot of chances in the game and we took the one we did. We were looking for the second goal but the reality of that was very different. We defended their throws and set-pieces well in the first half and then it went from bad to worse with the penalty and then we never really recovered.

On the penalty shouts: “They are big calls, but that is one for the cold light of day. The reality after the second one is it’s 10 v 11, and then they got their third.

“Nick’s concussion came at a very difficult time for us. We hope Nick is OK. He doesn’t remember too much about the incident. Joelinton had a knock but it was obviously enough for him to go off. He was a big miss today.”

On how to improve: “Deep questions. The analysis will take place and it is going to be a long international break. We need to find a solution to the away form and we need to stick together. We still feel the love and support of the supporters. This group has got the character to come back.

“We are missing a few things. We will look at it in depth and try and find a passage. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. We haven’t done that but we need to keep tweaking things until we get it right. Yes, it does impact England I think.”

Howe speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Really difficult second half for us. Whatever could go wrong did go wrong. We didn’t respond to the first goal well enough and then the second goal and the red card, which cost us the game.

“We showed a good mentality to our defending in the first half and we stood up to that task. Just that one throw-in and it cost us and it was a big turning point in the match.”

On Nick Pope’s concussion: “Initially, I wasn’t told anything in the sense that he was concussed and then a message came that we wasn’t feeling too well and he had to come off. It probably affects (whether he reports for England duty), yeah.”

On Newcastle’s form: “I thought we were there mentally and trying to give our best to the game, and we were possibly lacking in confidence today. The Champions League, you have to forget about it too a degree but the Premier League is everything. At the moment, we are suffering. We know we will rightly be criticised for our away form, and all we can do is stick together and fight back.”

Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes speaking to Sky Sports: “Very disappointed. We are disappointed in today’s result, and we haven’t stopped the trend of away results not quite being there. We have conceded poor goals and it has cost us.

“The first goal was a long throw, which we are seeing so much this yeart and we have to be able to deal with them. We can’t let that cost us. Then the game got away from us. The penalty, goal and sending off all at once made it hard for us. It is a disappointing afternoon.

“Hopefully (the international break) gives us a bit of time to get together after it and work hard and get the details right. We need to hit the ground running after this break.

“It is hard to see what the difference is (between the Premier League results and Champions League). There shouldn’t be, really. The results shouldn’t differ as much as they are. Hopefully his break gives us time to assess and reset going into the next bunch of games.”

Brentford manager Keith Andrews speaking to Sky Sports: “I think first half we edged the game but we didn’t create too many clear opportunities and then I think in the second half, we upped things in all departments.

“It’s always about the reactions and we were nice and calm at half-time and spoke about what we needed to fine-tune. Adding a level of calmness to the second half was key. Stopping transitions was a big part of it and we were worthy of the win.

“Very nice. I thought we could have got one or two more. I feel that’s been a weapon for us for a long time. We looked a real threat.”

On the VAR calls: “I have to be honest, I haven’t seen it back. It is what it is and they have a difficult task on their hands, the officials. The bigger picture is that we got what we deserved today.”

On Igor Thiago: “He has been pretty good, hasn’t he? He played here last season against Newcastle and I remember he was a real focal point for us and we won. He is growing in stature and confidence and he has been pretty sensational this season.

“We are hungry to achieve and we have a hungry group. That is really important. Thiago is a good example of that.

“We are making good progress. I have a relentless pursuit of progression. We are ticking over OK.”

Brentford striker Igor Thiago speaking to Sky Sports: ” I am happy with my performance and thank you God for everything he gives me every day. We just keep going.”

Where do you get your talent from? “From God. He gave me everything. Where I come from. it is so hard, and it comes from him.

“The way we work every single day. Together, everyone does our job, and then on the pitch the things come easy.”