After a couple of matches on the road down the capital, a sold out St James Park was the location for the latest instalment of the Premier League as Newcastle hosted Brighton.
Eddie Howe named an unchanged starting eleven from the side that beat Brentford last weekend but there was a place on the bench for winger Allan Saint-Maximin who has missed out recently with injury.
Graham Potter made four changes to his Brighton line up as Duffy, Alzate, Gross and Welbeck were named in the starting eleven.
After a touching minutes applause for Ukraine, the visiting side for the game underway. Ryan Fraser had the first chance of the game after just two minutes when he was played in by Jacob Murphy but his effort was comfortably saved by Sanchez. It wasn’t long before the home fans were celebrating though as Ryan Fraser fired home in the 11thminute, Jacob Murphy raced up the pitch following a through ball by Chris Wood and chipped Sanchez which hit the post but Ryan Fraser was on hand to tuck away the rebound. Three minutes later the Magpies doubled their lead through Fabian Schar who headed home from Ryan Fraser’s free kick. Martin Dubravka was called into action just before the half hour mark when he had to deny Danny Welbeck at his near post, a rare chance by Brighton. Jacob Murphy had a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 just before half time when Brighton lost the ball at the back but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper who saved comfortably. The half time whistle blew and despite the visiting side having 64% possession, Newcastle looked the better team by a long way and have been strong on the counter.
The Magpies got the second half started as they shot towards the Gallowgate End which is a bit of a tradition in these parts. Brighton pulled a goal back just before the 55th minute mark when Lewis Dunk headed home inside the penalty from a corner kick, the Brighton defender losing his marker far too easily. Eddie Howe brought on Allan Saint-Maximin just after the hour mark as the home side struggled to get in their stride in the early stages of the second period. As the game entered the final quarter, Brighton looked the better team and if there was going to be a goal scored it would be by them. Trossard came close to levelling things up with ten minutes left to play with an effort from the centre of the box which had to be saved by Dubravka to his bottom right corner. Somehow the home side managed to see the game out to the final whistle and the match finished 2-1.
Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: A real tale of two halves as the magpies hold on to extend their unbeaten run and have finally ended their search for a home win against The Seagulls in the Premier League . After a solid display during the first half by the hosts, they would perhaps consider themselves lucky to come away with the three points as Brighton were the better side in the second period. We were nervous and careless on the ball which could have resulted in a different score line had Brighton been more clinical which they are capable of. A scrappy win which would have not been the case had it been earlier on in the season.
What’s Next? Newcastle travel to Southampton on Thursday 10th March with a 19:30 KO whilst Brighton & Hove Albion host Liverpool on Saturday 12th March in the 12:30 KO.
Newcastle United Line Up: M Dubravka, M Targett, F Schar, D Burn, E Krafth, Joelinton, J Shelvey, J Willock (93, S Longstaff), R Fraser (78, B Guimaraes), C Wood, J Murphy (62, A Saint-Maximin).
Newcastle United Bench: K Darlow, P Dummett, J Lascelles, J Manquillo, S Longstaff, B Guimaraes, M Almiron, A Saint-Maximin, D Gayle.
Brighton & Hove Albion Line Up: R Sanchez, L Dunk, S Duffy, J Veltman, T Lamptey (58, S March), M Cucurella, P Gross, J Moder (58, N Maupay), S Alzate (78, A Mac Allister), L Trossard, D Welbeck.
Brighton & Hove Albion Bench: J Steele, H Roberts , Y Bissouma, A Mac Allister, A Lallana, S March, M Caicedo, N Maupay, E Ferguson.
Match Officials: Martin Atkinson (Referee), Constantine Hatzidakis & James Mainwaring (Assistant’s), Chris Kavanagh (Fourth Official), Lee Mason (VAR), Richard West (Assistant VAR).
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