Tonali fired home from close to the right touchline to restore the Magpies’ lead after Bryan Mbeumo’s penalty had cancelled out Alexander Isak’s first-half strike.
The Italian appeared to be trying to catch out Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken when he fired the ball past the goalkeeper’s left hand, despite his position a yard or so in from the touchline.
The celebrations that followed the strike made it look as though Tonali was trying to score, but he admitted there was a large element of fortune to the finish.
“Honestly, it was 70 per cent cross and 30 per cent shot,” said Tonali, who has scored three of his four goals this season against Brentford. “It was difficult for the goalkeeper and difficult also for me. Also, a little bit of luck.”
Tonali’s goal enabled Newcastle to climb above Chelsea into fifth position in the table, and ensured there was no hangover from the weekend Carabao Cup celebrations.
While winning Wembley has guaranteed the Magpies a place in next season’s UEFA Conference League, Eddie Howe and his players are fully focused on trying to claim the top-five finish that would secure a return to the Champions League next term.
“Now, we play only for the first five teams, for the Champions League,” said Tonali. “It is a little bit tough but we are lucky because there are five teams in the Champions League this season.
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“The team is a little bit free so it is much better for me and for the fans. Now we have nine finals to get back into the Champions League.
“I think I am happy for the trophy for these fans because these fans deserve it. Every game we have 52,000 people in the stadium, and this is amazing for football. I am so happy to play every game in this stadium and with these fans, it is amazing.”
Tonali was also quick to praise Isak, who claimed his 20th league goal of the season when he volleyed home Jacob Murphy’s cross from close range in the first half.
Isak finished last season with 21 league goals, meaning he is the first Newcastle player in the Premier League era to score 20 or more league goals in two successive seasons.
“I am happy for him because Alex is a great striker and maybe one of the best in the world now,” said Tonali. “I think he scores every game.
“We work for him because when Alex scores, very often we win the game. We are happy. I think Alex now is the best in the world.”
