Farewell, the nine-month unbeaten home run

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The Mag

·19 October 2024

Farewell, the nine-month unbeaten home run

The final score read Newcastle 0 Brighton 1.

Farewell, the nine-month unbeaten home run.

OneFootball Videos

We have played worse than we did today and won.

A football day that started with the rumour we would bid £80m for a Palace centre-half in January, ended at St James’ Park with the need for pace in the middle of our defence clear and obvious.

Perhaps not, however, as much as the need for a clinical finisher.

An energetic, creative United made and missed chances, Gordon and the returning Isak most culpable.

The Sweden international released by Bruno to top off a flowing move, only for the visiting keeper to pull off a great save.

Meanwhile, Brighton scored from their first shot of the game two minutes later.

Schar was blamed by Ando on Radio Newcastle; Burn had already been booked. And Botman is unlikely to be ready until the new year.

Brighton took as much time as they dared over goal-kicks and other set-pieces, to the fury of the home fans.

Brighton replaced Ferguson with Mitoma on the hour, then Howe shuffled the pack, Barnes and Willock for Murphy and Tonali, as United continued to squander chances.

The substitutes gave us renewed energy and Isak tested Verbruggen again but with 20 minutes to play a goal for the good guys from open play looked unlikely.

There was time for Gordon to imitate Isak by failing to beat the keeper when clean through.

A serious-looking injury to Welbeck forced Brighton to replace him with Enciso on 81 minutes.

A minute later, Livramento gifted Mitoma a great chance that Pope somehow saved.

Almiron and Longstaff came on for Gordon and Bruno G.

As stoppage time started, the lesser-spotted Osula was ready to enter the fray. Howe sent him on for Hall with seven minutes to play but the last three United changes seemed to lessen rather than increase our hopes.

In the final seconds, an Isak free kick was deflected for a corner. Pope went up. And Verbruggen claimed it easily.

One of those days. We cannot afford any more like this.

Newcastle 0 Brighton 1 – Saturday 19 October 3pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Brighton:

Welbeck 35

Possession was Newcastle 60% Brighton 40%

Total shots were Newcastle 21 Brighton 10

Shots on target were Newcastle 6 Brighton 5

Corners were Newcastle 9 Brighton 4

Touches in the box Newcastle 45 Brighton 12

Newcastle United team v Brighton:

Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Osula 90+2), Joelinton, Bruno (Almiron 85), Tonali (Willock 65), Gordon (Longstaff 85), Jacob Murphy (Barnes 65), Isak

UNUSED SUBS:

Krafth, Kelly, Lewis Miley, Vlachodimos

(Newcastle 0 Brighton 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 30 October – Newcastle v Chelsea (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle

Wednesday 4 December – Newcastle v Liverpool (7.30pm) Amazon