Danny Welbeck scored a goal and was stretchered off of Brighton and Hove Albion’s 1-0 win over extremely wasteful Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Newcastle had taken the game’s first eight shots when Welbeck and Georginio Rutter took advantage of a quick restart by Lewis Dunk to put the Seagulls ahead way from home.
The Magpies bungled numerous chances to equalize as Anthony Gordon had an off day and Alexander Isak showed rust in his return from injury. Newcastle out-attempted Brighton by double and held about 60% of the ball but could not find the goal.
Welbeck suffered an apparent back injury in the second half following a routine-looking coming-together with Fabian Schar, and would require a stretcher to leave the pitch after taking oxygen and lengthy treatment.
Fabian Hurzeler’s visitors improve to 4-3-1 while dropping Newcastle to 3-3-2. Brighton are fifth for the moment with 15 points, three spaces and points above their hosts.
Magpies bungle big chance from top to bottom
In some ways, we should be celebrating a rare dominant performance from Eddie Howe’s team because the Magpies have made a habit of playing poorly but getting positive results this season. That, too, is something to celebrate when the feeling is that good times are around the corner. But Newcastle’s attack missed so many chances to score during shocking shooting from stars Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, and Eddie Howe’s habit of playing favorites continues to deliver headscratchers. Harvey Barnes didn’t start in favor of Jacob Murphy, and Sandro Tonali was again the first midfielder yanked from the pitch despite showing no signs of slowing down as part of a brilliant midfield three with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. The Magpies back line is not great right now and there’s no depth with Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett, and Kieran Trippier out of the lineup. When injuries join selection errors and sloppy stars in a club, it’s going to deliver bad vibes. And the Magpies’ only point from their last four fixtures came against City. With Chelsea-Chelsea-Arsenal next across all competitions, maybe Newcastle is more likely show up against better teams?
Newcastle vs Brighton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Newcastle vs Brighton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Newcastle vs Brighton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Brighton host Wolves at 10am ET Saturday, then Newcastle visit Chelsea a day later for a 10am ET kickoff on October 27.
How to watch Newcastle vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: St. James’ Park
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Stream online via NBC.com
Newcastle vs Brighton live updates — By Nick Mendola
Newcastle vs Brighton final score: 0-1
Danny Welbeck 35'
Scary Danny Welbeck injury
Welbeck is holding up for a long ball when Fabian Schar bodies up to him from behind.
There’s nothing nefarious from the Swiss, but Welbeck hits the deck in immense pain.
There’s a long delay as Welbeck is put on a stretcher and given oxygen. He’s talking and moving, but will be removed as the commentators say he’s awaiting an ambulance rather than going to the team room.
Still all Newcastle, still 1-0 Brighton
This is wild. Isak’s had some very good opportunities and so has Anthony Gordon, but Brighton have so far kept hold of their clean sheet.
Now Isak and Joelinton see consecutive chances blocked or partially-blocked by Brighton defenders.
Now it’s a double switch for Newcastle, a pair of predictable moves as Joe Willock and red-hot Harvey Barnes enter for Sandro Tonali and Jacob Murphy.
Just missed!
Anthony Gordon runs into the box to meet a dinked cross from Isak, but he heads over the goal from close range.
Still 1-0 Brighton, 53'.
Halftime — Newcastle 0-1 Brighton
Eight shots, no goals for Newcastle.
One chance, one goal for Brighton.
It really is as simple as that, as a rare controlling performance from Eddie Howe’s men has not been rewarded. In fact, the opposite.
Danny Welbeck goal! Newcastle 0-1 Brighton (36th minute)
One of those games, huh?
Chance No. 1 for the Seagulls is Goal No. 1 for the Seagulls.
A quick restart from Lewis Dunk finds Dan Burn and Fabian Schar way up the field, and Danny Welbeck makes easy work of fullbacks Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.
It’s Welbeck’s fifth goal of the Premier League season.
1-0.
Verbruggen makes terrific save
This is what you want if you’re Eddie Howe: Alexander Isak 1v1 with the goalkeeper.
Sandro Tonali sends Isak through the back line and he looks set to make it 1-0 but Bart Verbruggen makes a strong leg save.
How is this 0-0? 34'.
So close!
It’s a corner from the left, and Anthony Gordon swings it toward the back post.
Dan Burn and Joelinton both go up for it, with the Brazilian making decent contact but directing the ball just wide of the far post.
All Newcastle, no goals
Through 25 minutes, the Magpies have taken the game’s only four shots and hold 68% of the ball.
Goals? None!
Newcastle lineup
Pope, Hall, Burn, Schar, Livramento, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen, Julio, Dunk, Veltman, Ayari, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Kadioglu, Rutter, Ferguson, Welbeck.
Newcastle focus, team news
Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali have been Newcastle’s brightest players in recent weeks as more minutes have unfolded for the team’s leading scorer and rambunctious Italian midfielder. The Magpies need healthy center forwards and remain challenged at the back as well.
OUT: Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Lewis Miley (ankle), Kieran Trippier (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Callum Wilson (back), Martin Dubravka (knee)
Brighton focus, team news
The injury report will is long and how the Seagulls’ questionable list progresses into the weekend will make a huge difference in this one — Adingra, March, Rutter, and Baleba can all be gamechangers, while Milner’s experience is huge.
OUT: Joao Pedro (ankle), Matthew O’Riley (ankle), James Milner (thigh), Adam Webster (hamstring), Solly March (knee)
Newcastle vs Brighton prediction
Anything can happen, but will the Magpies finish? It feels certain that Brighton will find the back of the goal, and Newcastle’s a different team with the St. James’ Park crowd behind it. Newcastle 1-1 Brighton.
