Match Report: Newcastle 1-2 Brighton
Goals: Isak 22′ pen, Gordon 83′ red | Minteh 44′, Welbeck 114′, Lamptey 90+1′ red
Location: St James’ Park
Newcastle United’s journey to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final was expected to be a controlled affair, a stark contrast to their previous emotional encounter. However, it appears that the anticipation surrounding the final has left the team in a state of disarray, with their promising season now hanging in the balance.
Despite manager Eddie Howe’s assertions that the upcoming Wembley clash isn’t the root cause of their recent inconsistency, the chaotic nature of this defeat suggests otherwise. The game at St James’ Park was marred by inexplicable moments, notably Anthony Gordon’s sending off, which could overshadow his season. The Newcastle winger, who has struggled to find form, reacted petulantly by shoving Jan Paul van Hecke after a series of ineffective plays that included misplaced passes and aimless runs.
The moment of madness, highlighted by Gordon raising his hands to Van Hecke, was particularly puzzling as the offside flag had already been raised, rendering the incident pointless. The silence that enveloped the stadium as Van Hecke fell to the ground was palpable. Referee Anthony Taylor had little choice but to brandish a red card, marking a disastrous moment for Newcastle, especially with the looming final in mind. The automatic three-match ban means Gordon will miss the crucial match at Wembley, a harsh blow for both him and the team.
Newcastle’s recent performances have been erratic, with even a narrow Premier League victory against Nottingham Forest feeling more like a defeat to Howe. He was visibly frustrated as his side struggled to maintain control against a vibrant Brighton team, who took advantage of Newcastle’s vulnerabilities. Brighton, led by manager Fabian Hurzeler, showcased their youthful energy and tactical prowess, disrupting Newcastle’s rhythm and executing counter-attacks with precision.
The match started positively for Newcastle when Alexander Isak, returning to the starting lineup, confidently converted a penalty following a clumsy challenge by Yankuba Minteh on Tino Livramento. However, the home side’s dominance was fleeting and fragile. Since the beginning of the year, Newcastle has developed a troubling habit of losing their footing, a trend that allowed Brighton to capitalize on their mistakes. Minteh, unmarked by Gordon, equalized with a shot that took a heavy deflection off Kieran Trippier, leveling the score and shifting the momentum.
What followed was a whirlwind of events, including Gordon’s dismissal and a second yellow card for Tariq Lamptey. In the dying moments, a volley from Fabian Schar was disallowed after an extensive VAR check, leaving the Newcastle crowd in despair. The atmosphere of deflation was palpable, capturing the prevailing mood on Tyneside.
As the match progressed into extra time, Hurzeler introduced veteran striker Danny Welbeck, who has a history of troubling Newcastle. True to form, Welbeck struck deep into the second half of extra time, inflicting further misery on the Magpies just as they appeared to be gaining momentum. His experience and skill shone through, proving pivotal in Brighton’s performance.
Player of the Match: Danny Welbeck
- Made a significant impact in just half an hour on the field.
- Demonstrated his enduring quality and ability to change the game.
Brighton now finds themselves in a strong position to pursue their first major trophy, hitting form at a crucial time as they advance into the last eight of an FA Cup that presents a number of opportunities. Hurzeler praised his players for their resilience and commitment, even in the face of mistakes. In contrast, Howe must be left wondering when his Newcastle team will find the consistency needed to navigate challenging moments effectively.
“Stuttering is a good way to put it,” Howe remarked when reflecting on his team’s recent performances. The looming question remains: will Newcastle’s season regain its momentum or continue to teeter on the brink?
