Newcastle United earned just their second win of the season on Saturday as Callum Wilson's penalty proved enough to see the Toon beat Brentford. 

Eddie Howe was a man under pressure at St James' Park after a difficult start to the season which had seen his side lose three consecutive games against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton. 

However, a confident penalty from Wilson earned the hosts all three points in Saturday's late kick-off, with the result moving Newcastle back towards the top half. 

The result was a welcome confidence boost ahead of Tuesday's Champions League trip to face AC Milan, who may well be low on morale after suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat against fierce rivals Inter last weekend. 

Howe made four changes from the side that were beaten at Brighton, with the injured Joelinton missing out, while Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron were all benched, perhaps with Tuesday in mind. 

The Bees had perhaps the better of the first half, with Aaron Hickey denied by Nick Pope, while Yoanne Wissa failed to connect with a dangerous cross. 

Bruno Guimaraes should have put the Toon ahead however when he was found free at the back post from a set-piece, but the Brazilian could only direct his header straight at Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken. 

When Newcastle United were handed a contentious penalty, with Flekken deemed to have fouled Anthony Gordon, it was Wilson who stepped up. 

The 31-year-old, fresh from signing a new deal at St James' Park last week, comfortably dispatched the penalty to earn Newcastle a much-needed win in a game that was very low on clear-cut chances. 

There was a first clean sheet of the season for Pope and his defence that looked so strong in the previous campaign, which will be a welcome boost for Howe as he looks forward to some potentially easier domestic fixtures in coming weeks. 

But right now, all focus will be on Tuesday's historic trip to the San Siro, as Newcastle return to Champions League action.