POTTER LOOKS ON BRIGHT SIDE

GRAHAM POTTER admitted that staying in the Premier League another season is massive for his Brighton side.

A point from a bore draw with Newcastle at the Amex last night was enough to keep them safe, and the Seagulls boss (below) said: “It is really important – and that is an understatement.

“For the club the financial implications are massive. And especially after a year like this it is even more important.

“I read an article before lockdown saying I should be getting my P45, so that is football for you.

“It is so important for a club like this, who are fighting to stay in the Premier League every year.

“Before the lockdown we were two points off the relegation zone, so it was a psychologically very challenging period. But the way everybody stuck together has been great. We will use this season now as a massive learning curve.”

Newcastle went into the game having lost their three previous outings, conceding 10 goals in the process.

And Albion were the better side early on, as Lewis Dunk saw his header saved by keeper Martin Dubravka, and then Pascal Gross’ shot skidded just wide.

The Seagulls’ Neal Maupay also robbed a far too casual Matt Ritchie and crossed, and Dubravka did well to turn

Leandro Trossard’s shot round a post. But it was scrappy, bitty, end-of-season stuff, as tackles flew in and too many passes went astray.

The Toon had been lying deep and disciplined for most of a turgid first half, but when Jonjo Shelvey curled in a rare corner, Dwight Gayle glanced his header an inch over.

And the Magpies striker also fluffed a clear header from a Shelvey free-kick.

Newcastle should have gone ahead when Miguel Almiron shot from 12 yards, but Brighton keeper Matt Ryan pulled off a superb save, plunging low to his left to tip the ball wide.

It was Potter and his men, however, who should have won this mind-numbing match as it meandered to a close.

First, Adam Webster let fly from 25 yards, and Dubravka brilliantly saved.

Then, when Dunk nodded the ball down to Trossard, the Belgian somehow volleyed over the bar from six yards, before Magpies sub Andy Carroll missed from even closer in (top, Carroll with a separate headed chance).

Toon chief Steve Bruce said: “Considering we had five centre-backs out and we just do not have the ability to rotate and make changes like other clubs, I am delighted for the players, they deserve great credit for this season.

“That’s our 10th game in 35 days. We’ve got a lot of tired bodies.”