United’s fight pleases star Fraser
RYAN Fraser admits Newcastle were not at their best in their 2-1 win over Brighton but saluted the Magpies for their fight.
The Scotland winger scored the opener after 12 minutes at St James’ Park and set up Fabian Schar for the second two minutes later.
United had to work hard to hold on as the Seagulls turned up the pressure during the second half, particularly after Lewis Dunk netted in the 55th minute.
But the Magpies held on to earn a victory that takes them seven points clear of the bottom three and extends their unbeaten Premier League run to eight games.
Fraser, who has become a key player since Eddie Howe arrived on Tyneside, said: “We know how good a team Brighton are. We would have liked to have kept the ball a little bit better than we did. We were a bit sloppy.
“But we fought and won our battles and that gave us the win. Our fans expect us to work hard. We didn’t play well today but they were with us from minute one.”
Howe brought expensive stars Allan Saint-maximin and Bruno
Guimaraes off the bench during the match yesterday as he tried to change the momentum of the game in the second half.
Brazil international Guimaraes is still yet to make a start for United since completing a £33.5million move from Lyon in January, while attacking talisman Saintmaximin will have to displace Jacob Murphy, who has stood in for him in recent games.
But Fraser said there has been no problem with the fight for starting places.
The former Bournemouth star said: “Everyone has been terrific. Even in training yesterday the players who weren’t playing could have sulked but the spirit is really good.”
Meanwhile, Howe has commended his Magpies players for their mental resilience to cling on for the victory yesterday.
Newcastle dropped deeper and deeper as the game wore on but their defence held firm to earn a precious three points.
It marks a stark contrast from earlier in the season when United struggled desperately at the back and took months to record even a single clean sheet. The Magpies face Southampton on Thursday and Howe (pictured inset) says that despite the good result yesterday, his players know that survival is still not assured yet.
He said: “In terms of the result, it’s absolutely fantastic for us. We said pre-game that nothing has changed and that we are still in a relegation fight – we still are. “I have a lot of respect for Brighton.
“They are a tough opponent. We knew we would be tactically tested. We showed mental toughness especially at 2-1. When they scored the game was very much in the balance but we handled it well.
“We defended well and put our bodies on the line and did the nasty stuff really well. We have got a lot of work to do to be where we want to be. I am very realistic and I know how quickly football can change.
“The supporters have been unbelievable.
“Today, we needed them to help us over the line. I cannot thank them enough.”