JONJO CALLS THE TOON AS THE MAGPIES SING
Seagulls’ unbeaten run ends at United
RAMPANT Newcastle notched a third straight victory as Brighton’s 18game unbeaten run came to a crashing halt at St James’ Park.
Goals from captain Jamaal Lascelles and the magnificent Jonjo Shelvey were the least the Toon deserved as Rafa Benitez’s pre-season favourites clicked ominously into gear.
And a bad day for former Magpies boss Chris Hughton got even worse when striker Sam Baldock was dismissed for a late challenge on keeper Matz Sels.
Newcastle, meanwhile, climb to fourth ahead of the international break, leaving Benitez satisfied that his stuttering side are finally into their stride.
“When you have different ideas and things that you want to improve, it takes time,” he said. “But you can see now that they are playing like a good team.
“Brighton have a good manager with good players. They are one of the best teams we will play for sure and to win playing that well is credit to our players.
“A lot of the things we were looking for, we saw from the players. I am happy but there is still a lot more to come.”
All the news pre kick-off concerned the impending arrival of striker Daryl Murphy, a £3.5m signing from Ipswich.
With Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle both suffering from concussion, news of attacking reinforcements – even ones who had played for Sunderland – was welcome, yet Newcastle hardly lacked firepower during the game with Brighton.
Insipid in their opener against Huddersfield, the Magpies crackled with energy and intent, galvanised by the drifting menace of Shelvey.
The £12 million man has at times appeared more inclined to showboat than turn in a shift but his rampaging bundle past two red shirts spoke of a leaf turned by the England international.
Felled by a third, Matt Ritchie lofted a delightful free-kick to the penalty spot, where it was met in full flight by skipper Lascelles. The centre-back’s header was accurate and firm, but David Stockdale should have done more than help it over the line.
Buoyed and boisterous, the home side went for the kill with Shelvey seeing his low drive blocked amid a tangle of legs. Yoan Gouffran then launched a 30-yard howitzer that almost shattered the crossbar.
Shell-shocked, the best Brighton could offer in return was a powerful Baldock effort comfortably parried by Sels.
Yet as Newcastle fans know all too well, a Chris Hughton team knows how to dig in. During his 18 months in charge at St James’, the genial Londoner offered regular masterclasses in the art of slogging out a gritty result.
The visitors absorbed the barrage and emerged for the second half in more assertive mood, instantly crafting their best chance of the match.
Beram Kayal – abandoned by the dozing Vurnon Anita – crept in behind and weaved his way to the toes of winger Anthony Knockaert. Alas the Frenchman, briefly a Toon transfer target, wasted the chance to show Benitez what he was missing by ballooning his shot onto the crossbar.
That, though, was as good as it got for Brighton.
Moments later, Baldock – already on a yellow card – collided with Sels and Keith Stroud sent him packing.
Sels made the most of it and Stroud was undoubtedly influenced by a belligerent crowd, but Baldock was unwise to make the challenge in the first place.
Having clung on by their fingertips with 11 men, Brighton swiftly tumbled from the precipice with ten.
Shelvey – who else? – struck the killer blow, expertly lancing home a 25-yard free-kick that left Stockdale rooted.
“I have to say that Jonjo is working very hard,” added Benitez.
“He is taking care of himself, he is listening in the training session, he is talking to the staff. He is doing very well.”