Jordan Henderson played a major part in Brentford’s win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday evening, but was less than impressed by a decision made by Sky Sports in the aftermath
Jordan Henderson was left fuming with Sky Sports after Vitaly Janelt was denied a Player of the Match award for his heroics against Newcastle United on Saturday. Brentford ran out 3-2 winners over the Magpies at St. James’ Park, in a game jam-packed with twists and turns.
In the closing stages of the hard-fought win, Alan Smith – on commentary duties for the event – was asked to select his POTM, opting to award it to game winner, Dango Ouattara. Janelt and Henderson conducted a traditional post-match interview with the broadcaster after the full-time whistle, when Janelt was asked to pass on the coveted honour to his team-mate.
However, the decision didn’t quite sit right with Henderson, who felt as though Janelt had done more than enough to receive the award. He said: “What, he didn’t get it?
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“He didn’t get the award? No chance. Who decides that? I thought ‘it’s about time he got one!’ Come on. Come on. Wow!”
Henderson was also spotted open-mouthed with his hands on his head in disbelief, before the cameras cut back to the Sky Sports studio. It comes as the Sunderland-born player will be elated with the Bees’ result against Newcastle, made even sweeter considering the 35-year-old featured for 56 minutes before he made way for Yehor Yarmolyuk.
Sven Botman gave the hosts the lead on the night 24 minutes into play, connecting with Bruno Guimaraes’ pinpoint corner at the back post with a glancing header. However, it was Janelt who rained on Newcastle’s parade on Tyneside 13 minutes later to draw level.
While the two teams looked destined to head into the second-half on level pegging, Brentford were awarded a penalty as the opening 45 drew to a close, when Jacob Murphy was found to have accidentally blocked Mathias Jensen’s shot on goal with his hand in his own area.
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Igor Thiago stepped up to convert past a scrambling Nick Pope to give Brentford the lead for the first time, as the Beesx spent the majority of the second period of play defending their advantage. Guimaraes was awarded a spot-kick of his own with just over 10 minutes of normal time left to play, when he was tripped by Michael Kayode in the Brentford area on the break.
The Brazilian club captain converted to give his side a glimmer of hope of clinching at least a point, if not all three available. However, it was POTM Ouattara who sealed the deal for the visitors 85 minutes in, latching onto a cute ball through the middle from Jensen before connecting with a ferocious left foot.
As a result of the win, Brentford sit seventh in the Premier League table as they look to close in on European qualification for 2026/27. For Newcastle, meanwhile, it’s a much gloomier state of affairs.
With just one win from their last five league games, the Magpies occupy 12th-place, as their hopes of retaining their place in the Champions League grow slimmer and slimmer by the day. Asked about team confidence as a result of their recent skid in the aftermath of the loss, Eddie Howe said: “It’s damaging.
“I think it’s damaging from our psychology, I don’t think there’s any way of getting away from that. There’s only one way to solve it, and that’s to dig out a win from somewhere.
“And then you can totally flip the feeling in one match and I think that’s what we’ve got to try and do. Away from home, the bigger the challenge, we’ve got to try and rise to it.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
