Eddie Howe watched from the rafters, as he saw his soon to be side draw 1-1 on the south coast to Brighton, in a game where late drama potentially denied Newcastle’s first league win, as Seagulls keeper, Robert Sanchez, was sent off late into the game.
Brighton dominated the early stages of the game, before Ciaran Clark swiped at Leandro Trossard in the box and conceded a penalty in the 24th minute, after a VAR check from referee David Cootes. The Belgian then took the resultant penalty and dispatched with ease, as Trossard netted his third of the season.
It could’ve been two, as Joel Veltman slid in a teasing ball to the arriving Tariq Lamptey, who was just inches away from getting on the end of the Dutchman’s cross. Newcastle, however, managed to ride out the first half to only be one goal behind, with Eddie Howe not having much to smile about.
The second half then saw some great play between Trossard and Marc Cucurella, as the two continued to terrorise the Newcastle backline, with both players setting each other up for chances to double their lead.
It would be Newcastle to finally make their breakthrough, though. Matt Ritchie’s corner was a floated one towards the back post, as it met the head of Ciaran Clark, who was able to knock it to an unmarked Isaac Hayden to fire it home on the half volley and send the away end in to ecstasy.
From this point, both teams were hunting for the winner and the Magpies were on the cusp of their first three points, as Joelinton played a direct ball to Callum Wilson, who was baring down on goal before being clipped by a rushing Robert Sanchez.
The Spainard was sent off and with all three subs already used for Brighton, it was up to club captain, Lewis Dunk, to go between the sticks.
Dunk actually got off quite lucky, as Jonjo Shelvey questionably decided to dink the resultant free kick from Sanchez’ foul, instead of trying to challenge him from distance or fire the ball closer to his box, forcing him to try and challenge it.
Newcastle still sit in the relegation zone and after Norwich’s victory over Brentford, are now the only team without a win in the league. Brighton now drop to 7th place, sitting five points outside of the top four.