Newcastle United

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Defender Fabian Schar has extended his contract at Newcastle until the end of next season.

The centre-back has made more than 200 appearances since arriving in the summer of 2018.

Schar told the club's official website: "I'm buzzing to extend my stay here. It's been a very good few weeks for everybody at Newcastle United after winning the Carabao Cup and I'm really happy now to sign another contract with this amazing club.

"It's my seventh season here and everybody knows how happy I am at the club and how comfortable I feel in the city, so I'm really glad to be continuing that.

"Now it's about looking forward and finishing the season as strong as possible."

Magpies boss Eddie Howe said: "Fabian has been outstanding in my time at the club. As well as his performances on the pitch, he has shown a fantastic attitude in the group.

"He has been the heartbeat of the club's season so far, and he'll continue to be a key player for us as we strive to finish as high in the table as possible."

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Everybody is talking about Sandro Tonali after his performance against Brentford last night.

Here is some more of what the boss had to say about his midfielder.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck, Eddie Howe said: "Very good again. Very good. Just a lot of good decisions from Sandro and I think that's what makes him the player that he is.

"I think you're always getting 'well done' and they're not necessarily outstanding moments but when you add them together, it just turns into a very forceable performance from midfield.

"He's very good athletically and he helped a number of times in putting out fires on transitions. It was a very good individual performance."

On Tonali's comments that his goal was "70% a cross", Howe told BBC Radio 5 Live: "You'll have to talk me through the percentages - 70 per cent, 30 per cent. I don't really understand that. Maybe he can talk me through it.

"I think he, as we all know, he has got an unbelievable strike on him when he hits the ball and connects and he did in that moment. We were just delighted to see it go in."

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's win over Brentford on Wednesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Matt: Did Sandro Tonali really mean that strike? The late movement of his foot suggests he did - but that's my heart ruling my head, maybe! On track for Europe again and perhaps a big win against Manchester United.

Paul: Great win but we made hard work of it with either sloppy finishing or great last-ditch defending by Brentford. Alexander Isak wasn't at his best, taking time to pull the trigger but we could have easily been three goals up at half-time.

Duncan: Any signs of a hangover from the cup success were soon dispelled. A good start from the whistle, with lots of pressure on the Brentford 18-yard box. A good all-round performance marred by Nick Pope's poor decision-making again. Tonali finished it with a wonder strike to secure the points and continue the push for Champions League football next season. Did he mean it? Absolutely! He has been going for long-range efforts like that all season. Our strongest player all season.

Robbo: Difficult game and could have easily been a draw. Pleased with a win after such a historic few weeks. Good luck to the Bees for the rest of the season. Thought Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento were brilliant. Did Tonali mean to score? Of course he did.

Brentford fans

Brahams: Very unlucky not to get a point and on another day all three! A strong performance full of passion. While Mikkel Damsgaard is a super sub to have, I just think we are missing (through injuries etc) a few game-changing players that we have in our squad. But that's not to take away anything from the performance away at a strong team who were on a high from their trophy win. I think the sky is the limit when Brentford have the full force of their squad playing week in week out.

Tom: We played well. It was a game that should get attention for another referee and VAR mistake though, as a stonewall penalty against Damsgaard, after which a free kick was given for a "foul" by Keane Lewis-Potter on Tonali and a yellow card, from which Newcastle went and Tonali scored the freak goal. This has happened time and again in recent matches for us. We're not the kind of club to moan about it and we have the classiest manager in the Premier League, but he needs to start now as it is getting ridiculous.

• Support a different club? Find and follow your team here

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Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says Sandro Tonali put in a "complete midfield performance" in their 2-1 win over Brentford.

Anderson told BBC Newcastle's Total Sport: "He was brilliant. He was everywhere. He did everything. It was just a complete midfield performance. He passed it well, he tackled, he chased back and he was strong on the ball.

"It was always going to be a difficult game, Brentford had won their past five away. They weren't going to come here and lie down.

"I thought we were the better side in the first half and to score right on half-time was a big bonus for us but full credit to Brentford - they came out and had a right go in the second half.

"I don't think anyone can complain about the penalty, dispatched well. Up to that point, they were the better side and you were starting to get a bit worried at that stage.

"But goals change games and that's exactly what Tonali's strike did."

Listen to the post-match reaction in full

Highlights and analysis from nine midweek Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 2-1 Fulham

• Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man Utd

• Liverpool 1-0 Everton

• Newcastle 2-1 Brentford

Newcastle will renew their interest in Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, 24, in the summer. (GiveMeSport), external

The Magpies are also showing interest in Como's 19-year-old Senegal winger Assane Diao, who has caught the eye of Manchester United and Liverpool. (Caught Offside), external

Finally, Juventus want to sign Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, with the Serie A side valuing the 24-year-old at about £70m. (Gazzetta - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It wasn't pretty. I don't think we played as well as we did against Liverpool.

"Tonali has a thunderbolt of a strike when he does go for goal. I am mightily relieved to see it hit the net.

"Always after the international break the games are different. We had players in different physical moments and we looked to have picked up a few minor injuries but hopefully nothing to keep anyone out of the next game.

"We are relieved to come through with the three points."

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Jacob Murphy (seven assists) and Alexander Isak (one assist) have combined for eight Premier League goals this season - more than any other duo. While only Andrew Cole and Peter Beardsley have ever combined for more goals in a single campaign in the competition for Newcastle (nine in 1993-94).

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

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It was all about the result as far as Newcastle were concerned - and Eddie Howe's side delivered as they marked their return to the Premier League stage with a win following their Carabao Cup triumph.

In their first game since ending a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, the Magpies ensured they stayed in the hunt for the Champions League after dispatching Brentford.

They weren't at their fluent best and there was a major debate as to whether Sandro Tonali's winner was a cross or a shot.

In the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter one jot.

Newcastle had the points and the tens of thousands of fans who turned up at St James' Park decked out in black and white Wembley souvenirs went home happy.

It is imperative the Toon kick-on after their League Cup triumph. That starts with finishing this season strongly and qualifying for a place at European football's top table.

After losing 2-0 against Manchester United in the final of the 2022-23 Carabao Cup, Newcastle won nine of their remaining 15 Premier League games to secure fourth spot.

Will they end this season with a similar flourish?

The signs look good judging by Wednesday's evidence.

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Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, speaking to Premier League Productions: "The start of the second half was tough and Brentford pushed but we are a solid team as well and we had a good reaction.

"This win is nice for the Champions League for us, we have a good week and it is perfect for this week."

On whether he meant his goal: "Honestly, it was 70% cross and 30% shot. It was difficult for the goalkeeper and difficult also for me. Also a little bit of luck."

On Alexander Isak scoring again: "I am happy for him because Alex is a great striker and maybe one of the best in the world now. I think he scores every game. We work for him because when Alex scores, very often we win the game. We are happy. I think Alex now is the best in the world."

On the season's ambitions: "Now we play only for the first five teams, for the Champions League. It is a little bit tough but we are lucky because there are five teams in the Champions League this season. The team is a little bit free so it is much better for me and for the fans. Now we have nine finals to get back into the Champions League.

"I think I am happy for the trophy for these fans because these fans deserve it. Every game we have 52,000 people in the stadium and this is amazing for football. I am so happy to play every game in this stadium and with these fans it is amazing."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Wednesday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Bournemouth v Ipswich

• Brighton v Aston Villa

• Man City v Leicester City

• Newcastle v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Southampton v Crystal Palace

• Liverpool v Everton (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says he would have "no hesitation" in offering Kieran Trippier a new deal this summer.

Trippier's contract expires at the end of next season but the 34-year-old has been linked with a move away from St James' Park before he is available to leave on a free transfer.

"Trippier is huge for Newcastle," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle. "The experience he's got at international level, the move to Spain with Atletico Madrid, playing Champions League football - all that comes through.

"He's talking to people all the time. He's pulling players into areas. He's dragging people around the pitch. That's the way he does it - he's just a good talker. There's nothing aggressive about it - some players just need that and he does it great.

"It will be interesting to see what the club do with him in the summer. I would have no hesitation at all in giving Trippier a new contract.

"It will be down to the player because he may well feel now that he's played in the cup final and was exceptional but, at the start of next season, [Tino] Livramento and [Lewis] Hall will be the two who start at full-back.

"He has decisions to make about what he wants."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Have Newcastle stopped celebrating yet? They have been on the lash for a long time after winning the Carabao Cup, culminating - for some of their fans anyway - with their trophy parade on Saturday. I am sure the players have sunk a few too.

It showed how much the club's success means to the city, but now they have to focus on the rest of the season, because getting back into the Champions League would be massive for what comes next for Eddie Howe's side, and how they are viewed across Europe.

There will be a fantastic atmosphere at this game too, but the danger with that is we know Brentford are capable of spoiling anyone's party with their attacking threat.

Howe has tried to address that by speaking about the need to finish the campaign strongly, and this is a great example of where his side cannot afford to take their eye off the ball.

I suspect they will come out of the traps very quickly against Brentford, lifted by the crowd, and go a couple of goals up before the weekend starts to take its toll on them and the fans too.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Brentford have won their past five Premier League away games - the longest winning run on the road by any side in 2024-25. Only one side has won six successive away games in which they began the day outside of the top 10 in the competition - Arsenal from December 2020 to May 2021.

Excluding own goals, Brentford have scored from their first shot of a match nine times in the Premier League this season - the most of any side. Meanwhile, Newcastle have conceded the first shot they have faced nine times - also a league-high figure.

Newcastle remain interested in a summer deal for Burnley's 22-year-old English goalkeeper James Trafford. (Sky Sports), external

Along with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, the Magpies are keen on Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, with the 25-year-old set to leave Juventus this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport- in Italian), external

Newcastle are also plotting a surprise move for Liverpool's 21-year-old English midfielder Harvey Elliott. (Teamtalk), external

At the back, Newcastle, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are among the clubs interested in Roma's 25-year-old Ivory Coast defender Evan Ndicka, who is rated at 40m euros (£33.4m). (Caught Offside), external

Brighton have put £100m price tags on 23-year-old Brazil forward Joao Pedro and 21-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba to fend off interest from Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart believes Newcastle fans should not "calm down" after winning the Carabao Cup.

Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley on 16 March to win their first trophy in 70 years.

"I think because of the lack of dominance from the 'big clubs', everyone is getting opportunities, earning opportunities and doing so well", Hart told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"I have played at that level and you really have to earn your trophies - but this year especially feels wild."

"There will be a lot of haters looking at that Newcastle celebration saying: You won the League Cup, calm down.' No, absolutely not. It was an incredible moment for that city and that football club."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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Journalist John Gibson joined BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport Newcastle United podcast to discuss the side's summer transfer window, arguing that the club must look to refresh the squad despite winning the Carabao Cup two weeks ago.

"As harsh as it might be because we've just won a trophy, facts are facts," said Gibson. "We need a deeper squad, we need a right-sided centre-half, an outside right, a goalkeeper and a centre-forward to support [Alexander] Isak.

"Good clubs don't stand still - they buy from strength. If you stand still, you are actually going backwards."

Newcastle have already secured a route into Europe for next season, earning a Conference League play-off spot with their triumph at Wembley.

However, they could yet earn a place in the group stage of the Europa League or the Champions League through their final Premier League position.

Gibson added: "People like Isak, Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton and Gordon will want to stay with the initial reaction to what happened at Wembley. Let's give them more reasons to want to stay."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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OK! The fun's over and it's back to business!

Even though it definitely feels like the season should be finished because we have won a cup and all got horrible coughs and colds from celebrating for two weeks straight (or, at least, I very much have) the season is in fact still rumbling on. Ten games to go! Ten games to battle for a Champions League place.

I was recently told that (apparently) in the 1980s, when Liverpool kept winning things, someone would come round with a bag and have the players put their medals into the bag. I do not know how true that is, but I understand the mentality. Celebrate later - we have a job to do right now.

We have not quite followed that ethos (see: 300,000 fans lining the streets to honour our team) but it is time to get back to regular scheduled programming.

I can imagine that is Eddie Howe's mentality going into the final 10 games. He knows, we know, the players know, that Champions League football is the goal. It is an interesting balance; let the players celebrate - first in Dubai in the international break, second in Newcastle - but then get their heads back in the game.

Elite players like Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali have already expressed how important it is for us to secure Champions League football next season, and the challenge is not beyond us.

We have Brentford at home, our first game since winning the Carabao Cup, on Wednesday. You have to assume that the goodwill and the noise of the crowd will boost the team through that fixture.

After that, as always, it is time to set our minds on the next one. There are no additional fixtures to worry about, only the Premier League. I know that it is time to refocus and finish the season strong. The feeling in the city is amazing right now. Let's keep that going.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external