FIVE KEY MOMENTS
RAFA’S AT CRISIS WINDOW
don’t bring players in, we won’t lose players even if they are not happy or playing.” Brighton and former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton said: “Both teams are capable of staying up. The hard part is doing it until the end of the season. “The mainstay clubs who have not had a great start generally pick up and get away.
“It could have been three points. We were the better side over 90 minutes. It showed where both teams are – not many clear-cut chances.
“It’s tough staying in this division.
“You have to play at a good level. Anything less and you get beaten. You have to stay in games.”
Brighton were pipped to the Championship title by Newcastle last season, and for long periods yesterday this felt like a game being played down a level from the top-flight elite.
There was organisation and proficiency – but a lack of sparkle in the final third.
Benitez hopes to plug the gaps in his squad next month but his plans are in limbo.
He thought one striker target Besiktas star Cenk Tosun, was available for £10million, but that price has inflated to £25m – and Everton look to have stolen a march in pursuit of the Turkey international
Newcastle can’t spend in that bracket as things stand. But unless Benitez can pull off at least three decent deals – with or without new money – they’ll be in the relegation mix right until May. ■■Newcastle made seven changes to their starting XI in this match (from their last game vs Man City) – this is the most that a side has made in a Premier League game this season. ■■In fact, this is the fourth successive Premier League game that Newcastle have made at least five changes to their starting lineup from the previous game.