Newcastle are back in action tonight at The Amex in what is quite possibly an all or nothing tie against fellow relegation candidates Brighton and Hove Albion. In the previous games, it could be argued that Steve Bruce has gone on the offensive and has seemingly only being interested in not losing, passing of fixtures such as West Brom and Aston Villa as "Not must win games" But recently in a press conference Bruce has finally acknowledged that this Brighton match is a "Must win". So has Bruce changed the starting line-up, and gone with two recognized Strikers? Not exactly. In fact, if we now class Joelinton as an attacking midfielder now, there is no recognized Striker starting in what has been deemed by the gaffer himself as "Must win". Dubravka once again keeps his place in the side. The back four have just one change with Manqullio starting back after his substitute appearance against Villa. Lascelles, Clark and Dummett all keep their positions. There is no change in the midfield with Willock, Shelvey and Hayden all starting in what seems to be the usual trio in the middle of the park. Just ahead of them is the return of Miguel Almiron in that false nine role, who is back earlier than expected, with his injury believed to have seen him miss the rest of March, with Joelinton and Fraser completing the front wide positions again.
Newcastle get us underway but it was Brighton who look to get an early advantage in the second minute with Neil Maupay coming in on the right hand side. the Frenchman crossed the ball in to find Brighton's debutant Morder who blazed the chance over the bar. lucky break for the Mags early on. And just two minutes later Brighton went on the offensive again with Welbeck, this time on the over avenue, Welbeck played the ball into Morder who appears to be playing a free wing back role on the left side. Morder had the shot but Dubravka collects comfortably. Four minutes later Brighton had the ball in the back of the net when the ball is floated inside the penalty area. Dubravka gets hands to the ball but is bundled over by Maupey, Maupey puts the ball in the back of the net just after the referee blows for a foul on the keeper. This should have been a wake up call for United. Eleven minutes in and it seems the wake up call hasn't sounded any alarms yet as Brighton yet again go on the offensive, this time with Trossard who laid of Bissouma, Bissouma Had a shot from out side of the area but it wasn't hit with enough venom to beat Dubravka.
It has been attack vs defence for the majority of the first half with Brighton consistently pushing forward, but in a rare moment for the first half Newcastle went forward with Shelvey who whipped the ball to the far post to find Hayden who missed the header and put the ball wide. Minute later Brighton answered back to that attack by going on the attack with Trossard who cut the ball back to find Maupey who was on the edge of the area. Maupey took the shot but it was blocked by Clark who got the ball to safety.
Things were looking bleak for United but in the 41st Minute it got worse. Bissouma stumbled over landing on the leg of Hayden, Hayden went down clutching a knee. It does not look good for him. He appears to have suffered a season ending, knee ligament injury. On comes Hendrick to replace him. Into injury time Things went from very bad to very, very bad when Veltman Put the ball onto the edge of the area, Trossard brought the ball down, turned and struck a sweetly hit shot into the bottom right corner of Dubravka's goal. 1-0 to Brighton. Half time 1-0.
Brighton got us back underway in the second half and it is United who come out looking to find a response to Brighton's late first half goal. In the 49th minute Joelinton drilled the ball into Almiron who, on the turn played the ball to Frazer, Frazer had an effort curling towards goal but it didn't curl enough, just striking the outside of the post. Brighton seemed to have an answer for everything and that was the same in the 51st minute. Welbeck picked the ball on the wing. Unchallenged, Welbeck made his way to the edge of the area and with bags of time, Welbeck struck the ball into the bottom corner. 2-0.
Any other team would throw everything at the game but it was Brighton that went on the attack again with Morder who sprints forward to get into the box but the shot is tame and straight at Dubravka. Has Bruce's fate being sealed? In the 68th minute it should seem so. Welbeck got the ball out wide to Pascal Groß who produces a lovely Cruyff turn to beat Dummett Groß whipped the ball into the box to find Maupey who produces a superb volley to beat Dubravka. 3-0.
seventy six minutes in and all United have is an edge of the area shot by Fraser which takes a deflection but was collected with ease by Sanchez the keeper. 81st minute and it was effectively game over. United could go and salvage some credit but it was Brighton who look the hungrier of the two in the race for survival. Maupey on the left squared the ball to Pascal Groß who was left unmarked at the back post but Lascelles was there to make the block. into added time and Newcastle United have simply given up. They can't produce even a chance. Full Time Brighton 3-0 Newcastle.
Now is the time for my epilogue. What do I say really about that? All I can say is it's time to go Bruce. I sincerely apologise. I try to remain somewhat impartial in my articles for you all to have a degree of professionalism. But I love Newcastle United. This defeat more or less shows us that we are going down. I'm not going to critique the tactics because I believe he got the tactics spot on for what he intended to do. I hold no reserve now in saying what I've thought for a few weeks. Bruce is trying to get sacked for the pay out. The Negative substitutions and lack of Striker in the starting line-up proves this. When we win I like to put Howay the Lads after my name. but check this one out!
By Sam West
RIP Premier League Status.
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