EPL: Newcastle Beat Brighton 3-1
Newcastle United handed manager Eddie Howe a timely boost as they returned to winning ways against Brighton.
Although the head coach felt the support of those above him at the club’s annual summit at Matfen Hall in Northumberland this week, he also faced some “difficult questions” following a torrid run of nine defeats in 12 in the league.
Howe needed a victory and, with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and minority owner Jamie Reuben both watching on from the directors’ box, his side delivered against in-form Brighton.
Newcastle were given a helping hand for their opener to settle one or two nerves after Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen rushed out of his goal to close down Jacob Murphy down the right.
Verbruggen clipped Murphy, in the process, but the forward quickly got back to his feet to cross the ball into the box for team-mate William Osula to head into an empty net.
The hosts doubled their lead midway through the first half when Burn nodded home from Bruno Guimaraes’ corner kick.
However, this Brighton side had not previously tasted defeat since 4 March for a reason, and they came roaring back.
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope looked a little relieved to see the ball cannon off the post after Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood blocked his attempted clearance in the first half.
Hinshelwood found a way through in the second half, though, after playing a smart one-two with Danny Welbeck, before finishing expertly past Pope from inside the box.
Newcastle have thrown away the most points (25) from winning positions in the Premier League this season, but they managed to hold out this time after Pope made a fine save late on to keep out substitute Charalampos Kostoulas’ overhead kick.
Harvey Barnes sealed the victory in stoppage time with a powerful finish as Howe and his staff celebrated wildly on the touchline after ending a run of five successive defeats in all competitions.
Newcastle, in the process, climbed to 13th while Brighton slipped to seventh.
