‘Stamping’ row as United’s run of wins is ended
TOON STAR REACTS TO ‘STAMP’ BY BRIGHTON STRIKER
NEWCASTLE United suffered a sobering defeat on the south coast as they lost by a single goal against Brighton.
The Magpies stumbled down the Premier League table as their winning run ended - but it could have been different had they taken their chances.
Toon striker Joselu had been bailed out by his captain Jamaal Lascelles last weekend after a series of misses.
There was no such saviour this time, Joselu’s first-half sitter proving one of the game’s key moments.
Ayoze Perez and Dwight Gayle also failed to convert at key times and a host of presentable opportunities from set pieces were also wasted by the Magpies.
On a day in which Newcastle managed 17 shots to Brighton’s seven attempts at goal, the club’s failure to sign a proven striker in the summer again came back to haunt them.
Newcastle had started the game in positive fashion, Joselu winning a free-kick in the Brighton half.
The set-play was chipped into the penalty area by Matt Ritchie with the home side clearing the danger to hand United a corner.
Ritchie then dinked a fine ball to the edge of the box for Mikel Merino but his effort was saved by Mathew Ryan, who got a hand to his powerful shot.
The home side responded and applied pressure on United in the box but the Magpies survived a goalmouth scramble.
Moments later, Tomer Hemed’s long-range attempt was gathered comfortably by Rob Elliot.
However, Brighton missed a great chance on 12 minutes when Anthony Knockaert got in the way of Pascal Gross’ close-range effort with the former Germany under-19 international somehow failing to convert. Elliot was called into action twominutes later when he palmed away Solly March’s effort as Brighton cranked up the pressure on United.
Midway through the first half, Joselu, who missed three good chances against Stoke City last weekend, was guilty of another when screwing wide from Ayoze
Perez’s left-wing cross. nPerez had a couple of attempts without troubling Ryan as Newcastle continued to ask questions of the home defence.
With five minutes of the first half to go, Ritchie won another free-kick but his tame effort was easily collected by Ryan.
The teams went in level at the break.
However, Brighton started the second half looking more organised and Newcastle paid the price for slack marking from a free-kick.
The set-play from Gross picked out Dale Stephens at the back post, who headed the ball into the path for Hemed to find space and flick home on 50 minutes.
Brighton could have doubled their lead when Bruno’s cross from the right picked out March - but Elliot read his angled shot and saved with his foot.
On the hour, Ritchie won a dangerous free-kick but he could only drill the ball into the wall before Merino’s effort was deflected away for a wasted corner.
Newcastle made two changes in the final 20 minutes when Benitez introduced Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle.
With 17 minutes remaining, Shelvey’s inswinging corner almost caught out Ryan but he clawed the ball to safety after it had hit the post. Four minutes later, Perez was fouled to hand Shelvey another chance from a free-kick but he sent the ball wide.
With seven minutes left, Jesus Gamez sent an effort wide of the post.
The closing stages resulted in United causing Brighton problems when Shelvey’s dangerous run and cross was hacked clear for a corner.
Brighton scrambled clear again, despite the best efforts of Ciaran Clark.
A Gamez cross was headed straight at goal by Jamaal Lascelles as the game went into stoppage time.
Gayle then sent a shot on the turn straight into the grateful arms of Ryan.
Yet just like United’s finishing on the day, it was unconvincing and they left the Amex Stadium with nothing to show for their efforts.