Auba shows Bruce what he is missing Gunners hotshot on target to spoil Toon manager’s big day
Dubravka with a classy dink. Newcastle’s response was powderpuff, despite the mercurial Allan Saint-Maximin having his moments off the bench. And so questions will continue to be asked of their firepower, with Joelinton fading badly after a bright start.
Arsenal, too, hardly provided emphatic answers to what lies ahead other than to confirm that, in the match-winner, they boast one of the Premier League’s most lethal marksmen. Away wins – especially when they are accompanied by clean sheets – are always welcomed, of course, but this was not a performance to be bracketed alongside those by Manchester City, Liverpool or even Tottenham over the previous two days.
Bruce, taking charge of his hometown club for the first time, had at least been as good as his word in pledging Newcastle would be on the front foot. They were certainly set up to attack from the outset, though, at times, they were grateful to the atrocious conditions for slowing up Arsenal’s counter-raids.
After a cagey start, the hosts were the first to open up the opposition. Miguel Almiron’s pace was their prime weapon and, although he was booked for diving, the Paraguayan enjoyed a fine opening 45 minutes.
After a driving run through the middle, he fed Javier Manquillo, whose cross just eluded Joelinton.
The Toon’s £40million record signing then met Matt Ritchie’s cross but could not direct his glancing header on target.
Joelinton arrived with a good reputation but a mediocre goalscoring record in the Bundesliga, so opinions will be split on how he will do as the Toon’s main man for a while yet. since that day Fulham were relegated at Stoke.
“I’ve had to work hard to get back to this level and I have unfinished business – I want to prove I’m good enough to play in this division and it was a great feeling to help the lads put on a really good away performance here.
“I wanted to show I can do this, because a lot of people have said I couldn’t.”
Substitutes Florin Andone and new £20m striker Neal Maupay sealed a handsome win for Brighton after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s first-half own-goal.
WhileWatford were hopeless and could not pass the salt, Potter’s first game as a Premier League manager went better than he dared to hope.
He said: “I’m a pessimist by nature, I don’t think too positively. We’re only at the start, but it’s been a good start.”