After his penalty miss during the match against Everton, Anthony Gordon decided to show his appreciation for the fans by buying a round of drinks at The Strawberry pub before the game.
It was a nice gesture, especially given the pressure he faced following his earlier mistake.
Unfortunately, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak couldn’t quite follow suit on the pitch, missing key opportunities to score.
Struggles in Front of Goal
With nearly seven hours without a goal from open play, it seems like the Toon Army might have to rely on a few pints to ease the pain.
Isak, in particular, had a frustrating outing.
He looked like he was kicking at thin air during a crucial moment in the six-yard box when the match was still scoreless and Newcastle had the upper hand.
Just minutes later, he shot straight at the goalkeeper instead of finding the back of the net, leaving the door open for Brighton’s Danny Welbeck to score the only goal of the match.
Acknowledging Support
Gordon’s round of drinks was a nod to the loyal supporters who stood by him despite his previous blunder.
However, this time, it was Isak’s misses that let the team down.
Despite playing well overall, Newcastle suffered a loss at St James’ Park for the first time since January.
Their issues are glaringly clear: instead of pursuing a £70 million defender like Marc Guehi, they should focus on strengthening their attacking options.
Adding a reliable right winger and a dependable backup for Isak should be their top priority.
Match Facts
Newcastle (4-3-3):
Pope 6.5; Livramento 5, Schar 5.5, Burn 6.5, Hall 6 (Osula 90); Tonali 5.5 (Willock 65, 5), Guimaraes 7 (Almiron 85), Joelinton 6; Murphy 5 (Barnes 65, 5), Isak 4.5, Gordon 5.5 (Longstaff 85)
Substitutes Not Used: Kelly, Krafth, Miley, Vlachodimos
Booked: Hall, Burn
Manager: Eddie Howe 6
Brighton (4-4-2):
Verbruggen 7; Veltman 6.5, Dunk 6.5, Igor Julio 6, Kadioglu 6; Rutter 7 (Estupiñán 72, 6), Baleba 7.5 (Wieffer 71, 5), Hinshelwood 6, Ayari 6 (Enciso 82); Ferguson 4.5 (Mitoma 60, 6), Welbeck 8 (Van Hecke 81)
Substitutes Not Used: Gruda, Moder, Lamptey, Steele
Goals: Welbeck 35
Booked: Ayari, Hinshelwood
Manager: Fabian Hurzeler 6.5
Missed Opportunities
While Welbeck was clinical, scoring after a quick exchange with Georgino Rutter, the hosts continually squandered their chances.
It wasn’t just Isak—Gordon also missed a clear opportunity one-on-one and sent a header over the bar from close range.
Eddie Howe commented on the match, stating, “When you have that kind of start, you want a goal for your efforts, and that was all that was missing in the opening 35 minutes.”
He recognized that if they had been leading 2-0, it could have been one of their best performances in recent memory.
A Shift in Performance
Howe’s assessment is spot on, yet there is reason for concern.
This season, the team has transitioned from underperforming yet securing results to actually playing better but failing to win.
They’re now four matches without a victory in the Premier League, and with tough matches against Chelsea and Arsenal on the horizon, there’s a risk that morale could take a hit if they don’t find a way to turn things around.
While Isak’s struggles can be partially attributed to his return from injury, the lack of depth in attacking positions has also become a glaring issue.
Howe himself noted, “There were attacking positions we were looking to strengthen in the creative areas, but we didn’t achieve success in those positions.”
This statement speaks volumes about their current predicament.
Brighton’s Triumph
On the other side, this victory for Brighton propelled them into the top five.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler reflected, “The old saying is that defense wins championships, and it’s true. The first half we had a bit of luck.
We suffered together, but in the second half, we played much better. I thought we deserved it in the end.”
There is concern over Welbeck’s health, as he left the match with a back injury and headed straight to the hospital for a scan.
Before his injury, he was outstanding; one can’t help but wonder if the outcome would have been different had he been wearing Newcastle’s colors instead of Brighton’s.
What Lies Ahead
Looking ahead, both teams will have their own challenges to face.
Newcastle must regroup and find ways to convert chances into goals, while Brighton will hope for Welbeck’s swift recovery to maintain their momentum.
The excitement of the Premier League continues, with plenty of drama still to unfold.
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