Brentford manager Dean Smith was adamant the club’s best interests never left his mind after keeping Scott Hogan as an unused substitute in the weekend’s Championship defeat to Newcastle United.

The Bees’ star striker has played just once in 2017 following a glute problem, but it was the attention of Premier League outfit West Ham United that kept the 24-year-old sidelined in the 2-1 defeat.

That left Hogan – who has scored 21 goals in 35 Bees games – helpless at preventing Newcastle’s return to the top of the Championship, partially thanks to Dwight Gayle’s 20th goal of the season.

Lasse Vibe equalised after half-time, with a chip soon after hitting the post before Daryl Murphy’s header sealed the win.

But despite a first defeat in four Championship games, talk from Smith’s side was more focused on those players who didn’t enter the fray.

“I made a decision on Thursday not to start Scott,” said the manager.

“There’s been a lot of speculation and offers for Scott and it’s been very difficult for him.

“He was available for selection but I decided not to select him for the long term interest in the football club which have always got to be at the forefront of my mind.

“I didn’t think it was right to start him and as the game went on I also didn’t think it was right to bring him on.

“I’m disappointed with the result but proud of my players’ performance. We were unfortunate not to win the game let alone get a point.

“To play against a team like Newcastle with the players and resources they have and to be the better team gives a lot of credit to our players.”

After shooting tamely at Daniel Bentley early on, Gayle made no mistake when he raced onto Ayoze Perez’s pass down the left before firing home from a tight angle.

Perez should have doubled the lead after a neat one-two with Yoan Gouffran but Bentley saved well.

Brentford were unlucky not to go into the break on level terms, as Karl Darlow produced a string of fine saves to deny Vibe three times.

But six minutes after the restart Brentford got the equaliser when Vibe slotted home from close range after Darlow blocked Andreas Bjelland’s shot.

Vibe almost got a second when he sprinted clear and chipped over the onrushing Darlow, only to see his effort come back off the post before Murphy rose highest to meet Perez’ cross and put Newcastle ahead on 78 minutes.

Brentford piled on the pressure and had a late penalty appeal turned down, before Jota’s fierce effort was well saved by Darlow deep into injury time.

“I was really pleased with the players coming off the bench because they needed to perform in a difficult game,” said United manager Rafael Benitez.

“It was a great goal from Murphy. He played against Preston in the Cup and after that he got injured but he has always trained really well.

“We knew that it would be a difficult game. We knew that they play good football and at the same time we knew that maybe we could be exposed on the counter attack.”

Read more on Brentford each week in The Football League Paper