The 43-year-old watched from his hotel room as his side twice came from behind to eventually settle for a point.
Results elsewhere meant United slipped to the bottom of the Premier League, with their search for a win extending into a 13th matchday.
Our writer Jordan Cronin was at St James’s Park and here’s how he rated each Toon player:
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. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St. James Park on November 20, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Livesey
. Karl Darlow - 4
Selected ahead of Dubravka and did very, very little to justify it. Had a howler for Toney’s equaliser, which came less than a minute after Lascelles opened the scoring. Photo: Stu Forster
. Jacob Murphy - 6
Good going forward but question marks over his role in Brentford’s third goal with Oneyka allowed to get the shot away. Photo: Ian MacNicol
1. Karl Darlow - 4
Selected ahead of Dubravka and did very, very little to justify it. Had a howler for Toney’s equaliser, which came less than a minute after Lascelles opened the scoring. Photo: Stu Forster
2. Jacob Murphy - 6
Good going forward but question marks over his role in Brentford’s third goal with Oneyka allowed to get the shot away. Photo: Ian MacNicol
3. Fabian Schar - 5
For all the good Schar gives Newcastle on the ball, he lacks a lot physically. Toney got well on top of the Switzerland international. Photo: Michael Regan
4. Jamaal Lascelles - 6
A goal at both ends for United’s captain. Opened the scoring early on before a 61st-minute own goal off Onyeka's shot. Photo: Ian MacNicol