9 OCTOBER 2024
NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1
PREMIER LEAGUE - at ST. JAMES' PARK, NEWCASTLE.
Matchday 8 saw Albion travel to the North East to take on Newcastle United in the Premier at St. James' Park, the match being covered by BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Last time out the Albion had enjoyed a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier at the Amex on the 6 October and for the visit to St. James' Park the Albion made three changes to their starting line-up from the Tottenham game, with Igor Julio, Yasin Ayari and Evan Ferguson coming in for Adam Webster (injured), Yantuba Minteh (injured) and Kaoru Mitoma. It was Ferguson's first start of the season.
In their previous outing in the Premier. the Magpies had drawn 0-0 at Everton on the 5 October and for Albion's visit Newcastle made two changes to their starting line-up from the Everton game, with Tino Livramento and Alexander Isak replacing Kieran Trippier (injured) and Harvey Barnes.
In the Newcastle starting line-up was former Albion defender Dan Burn.
Last season in the Premier, it was 3-1 to the Albion at the Amex on the 2 September 2023, with Evan Ferguson netting a hat-trick (27m, 65m, 70m) for the Seagulls and Callum Wilson (90+2m) scoring Newcastle's consolation. The return game at St.James' Park on the 11 May 2024 ended 1-1, with Joel Veltman (18m) scoring for the Albion and Sean Longstaff (45+5m) equalising for the Magpies.
It was all Newcastle from the start and it was Magpies returning striker Alexander Isak who was at the forefront. Early on Isak's goalbound shot was inadvertently blocked by fellow forward Jacob Murphy. Further goal attempts by Isak and Fabian Schar just missed the target. Just past the half-hour mark Bruno Guimaraes through-ball sent Isak clear on goal but Albion keeper Baet Verbruggen had other ideas and made an excellent save to deflect the Swedish international's shot.
On 35 minutes the Seagulls took a surprise lead when Lewis Dunk's long pass found Danny Welbeck who exchanged passes with Georginio Rutter before firing a low shot beyond Newcastle keeper Nick Pope. It was Welbeck's fifth goal of the season. 1-0.
The home side responded with Anthony Gordon sending in a powerful volley which keeper Verbruggen parried away. Albion's defensive work had been spot on first-half.
Half-time 1-0.
Albion conjured up a couple of chances at the start of the second-half, firstly Dunk fired over the bar from a Yasin Ayari corner and then Welbeck had a shot saved by keeper Pope. Next, it was Newcastle on the offensive, with Gordon sending a header over the bar, keeper Verbruggen making two fine saves to deny Isak, some fine defensive work by Igor Julio prevented Joe Linton from pulling the trigger and it was hero Verbruggen again as he kept out a volley from Isak.
Then former Albion defender Dan Burn made a fine defensive intervention to prevent Ferdi Kadioglu increasing Albion's lead. With ten minutes to go striker Danny Welbeck was stretchered off after sustaining what looked like a serious back injury. However, it was later reported that the striker had travelled back to Brighton with the Albion party. It was Verbruggen again, this time saving from Gordon and keeper Pope was in the action, saving shots from substitutes Kaoru Mitoma and Mats Wieffer.
There was still time for drama in time added on, as Verbruggen made yet another fine save to keep out a shot from substitute Harvey Barnes and Burn had a goal disallowed for offside. This was the Magpies first home defeat since January 2024, when Champion's Manchester City won 3-2 at St. James' Park.
An excellent afternoon's work by the Albion and three more valuable points.
Final-score 1-0.
Match stats:
Albion had 10 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 9.
Newcastle had 21 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 9 corners, free-kicks conceded - 11.
VERDICT - Make no mistake, this was a superb win by the Albion in the hotbed of football that is St. James' Park. It was a real team effort with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen making a series of fine saves between the sticks. If Albion have serious aspirations for European football next season they will need to continue their form against lowly Wolves at the Amex next time out.
Albion line-up (4-4-2):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Igor JULIO, Ferdi KADIOGLU; Georginio RUTTER (Pervis ESTUPINAN 72), Carlos BALEBA (Mats WIEFFER 71), Jack HINSHELWOOD, Yasin AYARI (Julio ENCISO 82), Danny WELBECK (Jan Paul VAN HECKE 81), Evan FERGUSON (Kaoru MITOMA 60).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Brajan GRUDA, Tariq LAMPTEY, Jakub MODER.
Newcastle United line-up (4-3-3):- Nick POPE; Tino LIVRAMENTO, Fabian SCHAR, Dan BURN, Lewis HALL (William OSULA 92); Sandro TONALI (Joe WILLOCK 65), Bruno GUIMARAES (Capt) (Miguel ALMIRON 85), JOELINTON; Jacob MURPHY (Harvey BARNES 65), Alexander ISAK, Anthony GORDON (Sean LONGSTAFF 85).
Subs not used: Odysseas VLACHODIMOS (G/K), Lloyd KELLY, Emil KRAFTH, Lewis MILEY.
Referee: Peter Bankes (Lancashire).
Fourth Official: James Bell.
VAR Official: Tony Harrington.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Jack Hinshelwood, Yasin Ayari. Newcastle: 2 - Dan Burn, Lewis Hall.
Possession: Albion - 40%. Newcastle - 60%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Danny Welbeck (Albion).
Attendance: 52220.
FORTHCOMING GAMES:
26 OCTOBER 2024 - WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS - Home - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.
30 OCTOBER 2024 - LIVERPOOL - Home - Carabao Cup, Fourth Round - kick-off 19.30. "Live" on Sky Sports.
2 NOVEMBER 2024 - LIVERPOOL - Away - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.
Jack Kaye.