Full Time: Brighton 1-0 Newcastle United
Newcastle United’s winning run in the Premier League was brought to a halt, when they were handed a 1-0 defeat by fellow promotion winners Brighton & Hove Albion, at the AmEx stadium, on Sunday.
After a first-half that lacked real quality, Newcastle were pegged back early after the restart, with Tomer Hemed getting on the end of a clever free-kick routine from the Seagulls, to put them ahead. The Magpies turned the heat on late in the game, with substitutes Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle going close, but they couldn’t breach through the Brighton defence.
The win sees Newcastle slip down to ninth place in the league table, with nine points from six games. Here’s how the Tyneside stars fared on the day;
Newcastle United Player Ratings
Rob Elliot – 7/10
Straightforward save from Hemed early on, then denied Shane Duffy on the verge if half-time. No chance with the goal, but made a brilliant stop with his leg to keep Solly March out at 1-0.
DeAndre Yedlin – 6/10
Was given a tough test by March on the right-side, had mixed results. There were a couple of good moments going forward, but not enough.
Jamaal Lascelles – 5/10
Conceded the free-kick leading to the opening goal. Booked late on for bringing down Jamie Murphy to stop a counter.
Ciaran Clark – 6/10
The Irishman too had a bad day at the office. Looked nervy at times, giving away the ball in dangerous positions.
Chancel Mbemba – 6/10
Got forward well down the left-side, but couldn’t send in dangerous crosses, apart from a single occasion in the first period.
Mikel Merino – 7.5/10
Was Newcastle’s best player out on the pitch. Had an effort saved very early, another shot blocked after the break. Kept Magpies ticking over – attempted the most passes (67), had the best pass accuracy (90%) and attempted and won the most tackles (5).
Isaac Hayden – 5.5/10
The former Arsenal man struggled to contain the Seagulls’ in the middle of the park and was rightly the first one to be subbed off.
Matt Ritchie – 6/10
Sent in a couple of dangerous balls into the box and had a free-kick saved in the first-half. Faded a little after the break, shooting wasn’t always at the level needed.
Ayoze Perez – 4/10
Fired over the bar from a promising position. Did little of note. A very frustrating display from the Spaniard.
Christian Atsu – 5/10
Scuffed a shot late in the second period. A couple of decent runs forward aside, offered very little.
Joselu – 5/10
Missed a sitter and then headed over, both in the first-half. Another wasteful display from the former Stoke City man.
Substitutes
Jonjo Shelvey – 6/10
Replaced Hayden in the 68th minute. Hit the post from a corner. Tried to make things happen, but didn’t work for him.
Dwight Gayle – 6/10
On for Joselu for the last twenty minutes. Had a tame effort saved.
Jesus Gamez – NA
Came on for Mbemba late on.