Newcastle 1-1 Brighton
by Roger Domeneghetti

THE day after the night before, the Northern Lights were dimmed a little. Brighton were always going to pose a tricky obstacle in Newcastle’s last game of the season. And so it proved, the draw meaning that the Magpies’ European now hinge on their mid-week trip to Old Trafford.

“I don’t think we hit the heights we needed to win,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. “Our rhythm wasn’t quite there, but it could end up as a really valuable point. The Manchester United game will be massive. It looks like it’s going to go right to the end. We’ve got two tough games but it’s still in our hands.”

Although the home side dominated the early exchanges, Brighton were, when they had the ball, the technically better side. Thus, it was little surprise when they opened the scoring after 18 minutes, Joel Veltman stabbing home the loose ball after a corner.

Newcastle got the goal they just about deserved on the very stroke of half time. Although the assist went to Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon was the architect. His jinking, probing run down the right, unlocked Brighton’s stubborn defence, Anderson squared to Sean Longstaff who tapped home with ease. It was his second in two games. It also marked the first time Newcastle had scored in every home league game in the Premier League.

The second half was more of the same. Newcastle had the better of the possession but lacked a real cutting edge, Brighton posed a potent threat on the counter.

Both teams seemed to flag in the balmy afternoon sunshine but there was still time for a flurry of late drama. Gordon, playing the emergency centre forward role after Alexander Isak was forced off through illness, had the ball in the net in the dying minutes. It was ruled out for offside against Miguel Almiron in the build-up.

The Paraguayan was then booked for a dive in the penalty area. Both decisions were correct, but that didn’t prevent referee Darren England leaving the pitch to a soundtrack of boos.

A point on the road leaves Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi eyeing a top-half finish. “We suffered in the second half but I’m proud we played in our style in a very tough game. With the injuries we’ve had to finish in the top 10 would be a great achievement.”