Sandro Tonali admitted his remarkable winner in Newcastle United's 2-1 victory over Brentford at St James' Park was "70% a cross".

The midfielder sent a drilled effort flying into the net from the right touchline to down the Bees, after Alexander Isak's first-half effort had been cancelled out by Bryan Mbeumo's penalty.

It was not clear whether Tonali had meant to beat Flekken from such a tight angle, but the Italian clarified after the game that it was not wholly intentional.

He told Premier League Productions: "Honestly, it was 70% a cross and 30% a shot.

"It was difficult for the goalkeeper and difficult for me. There was also a little bit of luck.

"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. We have had a good week.

"Now we have nine finals to get back into the Champions League. I am so happy to play every game in this stadium and with these fans, it is amazing."

Definitely meant it pic.twitter.com/kwC2EipkgA

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 2, 2025

Newcastle moved up to fifth with the victory. That position would likely be enough to see the EFL Cup holders qualify for the Champions League should they manage to stay there.

The hosts were not at their best and created fewer expected goals than Brentford (1.43 to 1.63), at St James' Park and Eddie Howe conceded he was relieved to get through the game after such an emotional period following their triumph over Liverpool at Wembley last month.

He told BBC Sport: "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 look 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."

Brentford looked set to take something from the game when Mbeumo levelled from the spot after 66 minutes, with Ethan Pinnock hitting the post soon after.

The Bees have lost 10 of their 12 league games against Newcastle, conceding at least twice in 11 of those matches, but Thomas Frank was more concerned about seeing a response from his team when they face Chelsea on Sunday.

Frank told Sky Sports: "I'm happy with the players' performance. I think besides the first moment and the last minute, we kept them quiet in the first half.

"Ethan went close to scoring and unfortunately, Tonali scores from a cross. That is one in a million and then in the end we had good chances.

"We performed well and then the fine margins didn't go our way. It was an even game that could have gone either way."