A goal on the stroke of half-time from Alexander Isak put Eddie Howe’s side ahead before Bryan Mbeumo dispatched a spot-kick to level for the Bees. With the score all square, it seemed like it would take a moment of magic to secure someone all three points – and that’s exactly how it transpired.
Up stepped Sandro Tonali to hammer home from a seemingly impossible range and angle to put his side back ahead and secure them a valuable win in the race for European football. It was a brilliant strike from Tonali, one that Frank would admit post-match was a ‘one in a million’ hit that went against his side.
“I’m very pleased with the performance,” the Bees boss said. “I felt we kept Newcastle quiet the first half more or less, except the first minute and the last minute of the half.
“I think that was a brilliant away performance in the first half. In the second half, we are coming back into the game. A great attack that gave us the penalty. We are this close to scoring from Ethan’s header on the inside of the post and that can maybe decide the game.
“If you are up 2-1, there are still a few minutes left of the game. And then another marginal situation that went against us – the Tonali cross. I asked him if it was a cross, I just had to be sure. And that’s one in a million.
“So the performance is very good. If you want to win a game like this, you need, just like any game, but to win a tight game against a good team, you need some of the margins to go your way.”
Thomas Frank’s classy gesture
It could have been easy for Frank to share his frustrations at how the game panned out on Wednesday night as his side found themselves on the wrong side of a number of key decisions and game changing moments. However, the 51-year-old cut a composed figure in his post-match media briefing, praising the Magpies for their participation in what was a really hard fought game.
