Brentford found themselves pretty much second best all the way against a crafty an excellent Newcastle United who will surely be among the favourites for the Championship title side this afternoon.
There was no shame for the Bees in losing to a side boasting the likes of Jon Jo Shelvey, who ran the game from start to finish, and the clinical Dwight Gayle, who should really be playing at a higher level.
But while Dean Smith's men were not outclassed after getting over a nervy opening 20 minutes or so, and had some good spells and passages of play themselves, you always had the feeling Newcastle could step it up another gear if they really needed to.
Scott Hogan went close with the first chance of the game, but was unable to direct his header on target from a cross from the right, and instead it was two poor pieces of Brentford defending which allowed Newcastle to storm into an early two-goal lead.
First, Ciaran Clark was afforded all the time and space in the world to head home Shelvey's cross from the right, and then a poor defensive header from John Egan fell nicely for Gayle to double the hosts' money.
It could have been game over soon after when Newcastle had the ball in the back of the net again, which would have been especially hard on Dan Bentley, who had done all he could to keep out the first effort, but Brentford were relieved to see the celebrations cut short by the offside flag.
Christian Atsu went close from the edge of the area for the hosts, while Nico Yennaris drew a good save from Karl Darlow at the other end as the Bees started to get a grip on the game.
Both teams started the second half brightly, but it was Newcastle who extended their lead just minutes after the break when Shelvey crossed for Gayle to bag his second from clsoe range, only for Hogan to pull one back instantly with a close range header after Romaine Sawyers flicked on a corner from the left.
Hogan then had his appeals for a penalty turned down after going down in the box under pressure from Grant Hanley following a good turn and run along the byline, while Ryan Woods twice went close from long range late on.
Yoan Gouffran did likewise for the hosts, while Ayoze Perez shot right across Bentley's goal in injury time before ging close again soon after, but it finished 3-1 to the hosts.
