At this rate the relegation zone will soon have receded to a mere speck in Newcastle’s rear-view mirror. Their unbeaten Premier League run now extends to eight games, five of which have been won, leaving them well on course for the sunlit uplands of mid-table. It would be wrong though to assume they had things quite all their own way against visitors who are stuttering, but still dominate possession.
It took excellent central-defensive performances from the Brighton old boy Dan Burn and a revitalised Fabian Schär to help secure three vital points and consign Brighton to a fourth consecutive league defeat in an electrically charged atmosphere. “We weren’t great but we were probably the better team,” said Graham Potter. “Credit to Eddie [Howe] though, Newcastle were organised and defended well – we know what a good player Dan is – and the crowd makes it hard for away teams. We can’t hide from four straight defeats, but sometimes you need to go through a bit of pain and suffering.”
As the Premier League returned to in-person post-match press conferences for the first time since the pandemic struck two years ago, Howe was all smiles as he introduced himself to reporters previously glimpsed only on Zoom.
“I’m really pleased to see the supporters enjoying themselves and so happy,” he said. “But it was a tough game which came down to how well we did out of possession and, no, I don’t think we’re safe. We’re still in a relegation battle.”
By the 11th minute Potter had reason to regret allowing Burn to pull on the black and white stripes. The 6ft 7in defender has reinforced Newcastle’s backline significantly since arriving from the south coast for £13m at the end of January and his former teammates seemed to be missing his stabilising influence.
Jacob Murphy showed a rearguard bisected by Chris Wood’s through ball a clean pair of heels. Although Murphy’s chipped shot rebounded off a post, the on-rushing Ryan Fraser redirected it into the back of the net. Three minutes later, Fraser turned provider as Newcastle doubled their advantage. Schär – one of several players transformed since Howe’s installation – nodded the winger’s free-kick beyond Robert Sánchez’s reach and exultant fans hugged random stewards.
Tariq Lamptey was not minded to surrender. A right wing-back much admired by Newcastle, petrified their defence virtually every time he assumed possession and began running at Matt Targett and company.
Suitably encouraged, Brighton came alive. As they increasingly hogged the ball, Martin Dubravka saved smartly from Danny Welbeck after the former England forward was adroitly cued up by Lamptey.
Not for the first time the moment had arrived for Joelinton to fully prove his worth in central midfield, the former centre-forward reprising his inner Patrick Vieira as he made some vital interceptions to keep Brighton at bay. The inspired reinvention of Joelinton represents a big reason why joyous choruses of “Up the Premier League we go” now echo around St James’ Park, but the second half was only 10 minutes old when they were temporarily silenced.
As an unmarked Lewis Dunk connected with Pascal Gross’s corner and headed Brighton right back into things, confidence gave way to a nervous edginess in the full house. Sensing a shift in the power balance, Potter switched to a back four, sending Neil Maupay on to try to ruffle Burn’s composure.
With Newcastle ceding control of a midfield with Joe Willock briefly seeming to lose concentration and with Brighton’s Marc Cucurella proving an increasing menace on the left, the time had come for Howe to introduce the fit-again Allan Saint-Maximin from the bench.
Although the French winger’s change of pace and unpredictability was soon bamboozling the defence, Brighton continued to threaten with Leandro Trossard’s shot stretching Dubravka before the final whistle provoked raucously relieved celebrations. “It’s never easy to play against your old club,” said Howe. “But, please excuse the pun, Dan Burn was a giant.”
