An amazing Sandro Tonali cross-shot proved enough as Newcastle United beat Brentford 2-1 in their first match since lifting the EFL Cup.

Tonali caught Mark Flekken off guard with a powerful strike from the right touchline that could be a goal of the season contender, if the Italian midfielder meant it.

Alexander Isak had earlier scored his 20th Premier League goal of the season, prodding in Jacob Murphy's excellent cross in first-half stoppage time.

But Brentford hit back in the 66th minute with a penalty from Bryan Mbeumo, coolly converting past Nick Pope after the Magpies goalkeeper had brought down Yoane Wissa. 

Thomas Frank's side then looked the more likely to go in front, with Ethan Pinnock striking the post with a header just two minutes after the Bees had drawn level. 

But the visitors were made to pay for their wasted opportunities when Tonali struck his eye-catching winner 16 minutes from time, though Brentford had their chances late on. 

Kevin Schade and Mikkel Damsgaard squandered two glorious opportunities to seal a share of the spoils, with Newcastle able to hold on for a vital victory. 

Eddie Howe's team moved up to fifth in the Premier League table as they chase down Champions League football this season. Brentford, meanwhile, stay down in 11th. 

Data Debrief: Alexander the Great

After reaching 20 goals before the break, Isak became the third Newcastle striker in Premier League history - after Alan Shearer and Andy Cole - to score 10 home and 10 away goals in a single campaign.

The Swede is now just one shy of Erling Haaland (21) in the Golden Boot race and, with the Norwegian now injured, looks set to finish second to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (27).

Newcastle have also now won 10 of their last 12 league games against Brentford (D1 L1), scoring two or more goals in 11 of those matches.

On the flip side, this defeat was the latest example of Brentford's limitations in the Premier League this term. Nine of the Bees' 12 wins have come against teams below them in the table, while 10 of their 13 defeats have come against sides above them in the division.