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Newcastle 2 Brighton 1 – The three big points that I’m taking from the match

2 years ago
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Newcastle 2 Brighton 1 – Saturday 5 March 3pm

Not sure about anyone else but all I heard prior to today’s game was our past record against Brighton.

How we’ve never won against them in the top flight before, the two 3-0 defeats last season, and so on.

Well past statistics are all well and good, but they can only have so much bearing on where we are now, especially with the massive changes we’ve undergone in recent weeks.

The first 15 minutes were amazing, starting like a house on fire, then grabbing two goals in a two minute spell. Fraser finishing off Murphy’s brilliant run and shot that hit the post, followed sharply by his whipped free kick being glanced home thanks to a towering header from Schar.

The first half in general was quite good, holding firm and restricting Brighton very well, then hitting well on the counter.

The second half was a different story altogether, with nerves jangling from before the hour mark after a Dunk header put the score at 2-1.

The rest of the match was pretty bereft of quality on our end, even when ASM came on to rapturous applause. However, we ground out the win (our first three home victories on the bounce in a depressingly long time) and we continue our slow march away from the relegation zone.

Burnley, Leeds and Norwich all lost today, tomorrow goal shy Watford host a vibrant young Arsenal, whilst on Monday it is Everton set for a coin toss of a game against a will-they / won’t-they Spurs side.

The big thing though, Newcastle United have done all they can to keep ourselves out of trouble once again.

Here are my three big points from the game.

If you can’t win pretty, win ugly

I know I sound like a broken record but if you put the team we had not so long ago, into the situation we were in after the Dunk goal, it would very likely have ended up a 2-3 reverse, I am certain.

However, even when passes were going wrong and Brighton were dominant, the team kept their chins up and scrapped out a hard fought three points.

Burn was as usual a literal giant at the back (although kudos should be given to all the defence for a hard fought display).

Whilst I’m feeling very vindicated on my previous defences of a certain Brazilian who I always said was played in the wrong position and in the wrong way by one cabbage of a manager.

Transformation complete

Another player who has completely changed under Howe is Ryan Fraser, undoubtedly my MOTM today.

From a listless, out of his depth, unfit midfielder under you-know-who, to an electric winger who has now added goals and assists to vastly improved performances.

It’s almost like the players weren’t just “shackled” to an old system and when actual tactics and game planning are used (I know, mad idea) players can shine.

ASM back on the pitch

After some frankly quite daft twitter drama and speculation over the week about willingness to play and the like, ASM was back on the pitch, and he gave a good shift for the half hour he played.

He certainly helped take pressure off the defence and dragged us up the pitch when we needed to see out the game, even if he couldn’t add a goal contribution today. Hopefully he can add to his tally in the midweek game vs the Saints.

Three away games on the spin now, with visits to Southampton, Chelsea and Everton over the course of eight days. With the form we’re in, hopefully at least four points on the cards.

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 2 Brighton 1 – Saturday 5 March 3pm

Goals:

Brighton:

Dunk 55

Newcastle:

Fraser 12, Schar 14

Possession was Brighton 68% Newcastle 32%

Total shots were Brighton 15 Newcastle 10

Shots on target were Brighton 4 Newcastle 4

Corners were Brighton 7 Newcastle 4

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Crowd: 52,214

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett, Willock (Longstaff 90+4), Shelvey, Joelinton, Fraser (Guimaraes 79), Murphy (Saint-Maximin 64), Wood

Unused Subs:

Darlow, Dummett, Manquillo, Gayle, Lascelles, Almiron

(Newcastle 2 Brighton 1 – Match ratings and comments on all the NUFC players – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 2 Brighton 1 – Instant NUFC fan / writer reaction to Saturday’s massive victory – Read HERE)

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