Eddie Howe’s seething expression said it all as Newcastle United lost for the first time at home since January to streetwise Brighton & Hove Albion.
Fabian Hurzeler’s team had been tipped to come and play a high line at St James’ Park but sat back and looked to punish Newcastle on the break. Despite having just a dozen touches in the box, Brighton were able to nick this one, but only because Newcastle’s chronic inability to convert where and when it mattered.
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With Alexander Isak back from a toe injury, hopes were pinned on the Ā£63million star to undo the visitors but when those chances came and went, the Magpies did not have the answers. Despite throwing on Ā£100m of talent in the closing stages, there would be no way past Dutchman Bart Verbruggen as the 21 goal attempts were swallowed up.
Howe will hold an immediate inquest behind the scenes but whether it is a lack of minutes in the legs for Isak, a lack of good service or just general complacency there seems to be a problem for Newcastle after five hours without a goal from open play in the Premier League.
For all the talk of Yankuba Minteh coming back to haunt Newcastle, the Gambia winger was not even named on the bench due to a slight injury. Brighton won the toss and asked Newcastle to shoot towards the Gallowgate End in the first half.
The first major incident of the game was served up in the seventh minute when Newcastle wanted a penalty when Lewis Hall broke into the box before Joel Veltman appeared to handle the ball. After a quick VAR check, referee Peter Bankes waved play on with his arm deemed to be in a natural position.
In a full-blooded start to the game, Dan Burn was booked for a foul on Danny Welbeck with 10 minutes gone. The game reached the mid-way stage of the first half with the scores still level although it was clear that Newcastle were the more threatening side with four blocked shots.
Isak had watched one effort cannon off the back of a defender while also seeing his clinical touch desert him in another opening as he watched a ball drift past him right in front of goal. A free-kick on 24 minutes promised another opening for the Magpies.
United found themselves 30 yards from goal to the right of the penalty area but Fabian Schar’s effort swirled wide of the target. Another set-play from distance came Newcastle’s way from even further out fell for Newcastle but after Bruno Guimaraes’ short pass to Lewis Hall, it was straight into the arms of Bart Verbruggen for a nice easy claim much to the satisfaction of the Brighton bench.
A 31st minute corner from Anthony Gordon was swung towards the back post but Burn headed wide of the upright. Two minutes later, Isak was slipped through the middle after great work from Sandro Tonali and Joelinton but with just Verbruggen to beat but his shot was saved well by the Albion stopper.
For all the dominance, Brighton snatched the lead with their first serious foray into the final third and their first touch in the box. Lewis Dunk hoofed a free-kick down the middle with Georginio Rutter playing a one-two with Welbeck before he calmly stroked it past Nick Pope. It was a goal that stunned St James’ Park with Brighton struggling to get out before that moment.
In response, Gordon forced Verbruggen into a fine save five minutes before the break when his goal-bound right-footed effort was palmed away and Brighton survived the corner. However, the Seagulls went in with the lead at half-time despite eight goal attempts and 68% possession from Newcastle.
Welbeck tried his luck from range six minutes into the second half but it was easy for Pope to get down and smother the ball. An Isak cross was drifted into the centre on 53 minutes but he powered his header over the bar.
Japan star Kaoru Mitoma was introduced before the hour mark for the visitors with Evan Ferguson coming off. Isak fashioned an opening on 63 minutes but his effort was gathered by the keeper at the Leazes End.
Howe needed a hero himself and turned to both Harvey Barnes, the Ā£39m star snapped up from Leicester, and Joe Willock, the Ā£25m arrival from Arsenal, with 26 minutes left as Murphy and Tonali came off. Jack Hinshelwood had a chance to finish the game for Brighton with 18 minutes left but a vital interception from Blyth lad Burn took it off his toes and kept Newcastle in the game.
Gordon went racing clear soon after but rattled his shot straight at Verbruggen before the game was held up for an injury to Welbeck following Schar’s foul. The striker was warmly applauded off with the injury adding extra time for Newcastle to conjure up an equaliser.
Jan Paul Van Hecke and Enciso replace the injured Welbeck and Yasin Ayari. Mitoma then turned Livramento in a simple manner with six minutes to go before sending an effort just over in another let off for United.
And so Howe turned to Ā£21m signing Miguel Almiron – a player who could have easily been sold in the summer had the right bid came in. The Paraguay international was introduced with five minutes left alongside North Shields born Sean Longstaff. Gordon and skipper Bruno went off with the Magpies on the brink of losing their first game since January on Tyneside.
Only with the game almost lost did Howe call William Osula off the bench to replace Hall for the dying embers. The Magpies were actually afforded enough time to win the game as the clock ticked past 90 minutes when the fourth official display nine minutes of added time.
Burn did have the ball in the back of the net as time ticked down but it was a mile offside. A 99th minute free-kick handed Newcastle the chance to level but Isak’s free-kick was deflected wide.
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Pope sprinted up for the corner but another poor ball into the box was gobbled up and the whistle was blasted one last time. Newcastle’s clinical touch and inability to capitalise when on top had cost them dear.
Referee: Peter Bankes (Liverpool)
Attendance: 52,220
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