Not the greatest performance, but another big win as a dogged second half display saw us move SEVEN points clear of safety today!
It’s now eight games unbeaten for the Toon and five wins in our last six, with this being our third straight win at St James’ Park.
Now for our marks out of 10:
Martin Dubravka – 6 – A smart save to deny Welbeck first half which could’ve changed the course of the game. Made a couple of decent stops in the second half but was caught in no mans land for Lewis Dunk’s header, so is marked down one for that as it was a poor piece of goalkeeping on an otherwise solid day for the Slovakian.
Emil Krafth – 7 – The Swede is the weak spot in our side (as harsh as that sounds), but he put in a real shift and defended well in the second half as Brighton through everything at us down the left. I must admit, has done better than I expected since coming into the side and recovered well from a nervy start.
Fabian Schar – 8.5* – Man of the match for me. Took his goal very well and looks a totally different player to the one we saw under Steve Bruce (isn’t alone). Where he may have lost his head previously, he stayed switched on until the very end in this one, playing a pivotal role at both ends. Jamaal Lascelles really struggling to get back in the side, competition for places can only be a good thing for us going forward.
Dan Burn – 8 – What a signing he continues to be! The reported £13m fee is an absolute STEAL based on what we’ve seen so far! Must’ve been difficult coming up against his former side but was brilliant again, extremely well. Cut out a few dangerous looking attacks in the second half. What a signing.
Matt Targett – 7 – Another astute bit of business by the Magpies. Brighton clearly targeted the right hand side of our defence, but the Aston Villa loanee still did well to keep the lively Lamptey from running riot. Solid passing, never hides from a 50/50 and times his tackles so well. A permanent transfer just seems a no brainer if he keeps playing like this!
Joe Willock – 6 – Not his best afternoon in the black and white but as always tenacious in the tackle, constantly trying to pinch the ball back. Tired in the second half and wasn’t quite as good going forward today; aside from one early burst down the right that saw him set up Fraser on the volley. Limped off with a knock, meaning Bruno might just get a start next week?
Jonjo Shelvey – 6 – A quiet afternoon from Shelvey today, who was solid but not as influential as he can be. Didn’t seem to get on the ball much and couldn’t really get us going forward. Still, he did a decent job screening the back four and remained disciplined throughout.
Joelinton – 7 – Got around the pitch well as always and was typically physical and disruptive in a bid to unsettle Brighton’s passing game. Lacked some quality progressing the ball forwards, but continues to do a solid job; even when he’s below his best!
Jacob Murphy – 6 – Wasted a huge chance to put us three up in the second half and should’ve scored in the build up to Fraser’s opener; although he was unlucky after doing well to get in behind. Can never fault his effort, battled well but definitely lacks quality going forward. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him dropped for Saint-Maximin next week.
Ryan Fraser – 8 – The Scot is stringing together a few fantastic performances now. Took his goal well, whipped in a superb ball for Schar’s header and ran himself into the ground; having to be taken off for Bruno after giving everything he’d got! Impressive movement, endless energy and end product in the final third.
Chris Wood – 6.5 – Cut an isolated figure all afternoon but played a key role in our opening goal, shielding the ball well before sliding in Murphy who hit the post. Found it hard to win as many headers against Dunk and Duffy, however he worked hard, fought for every second ball and held the ball up well at times. Copy and pasting this from last week, but I am absolutely desperate for him to get a goal.
SUBS:
Bruno Guimarães – 6 – Was screaming at my television when he decided to mess around with it in our box 2-1 up two to play. Showed glimpses of real quality again in the brief spell he had on the pitch, nicking the ball back well once or twice and showing confidence (sometimes too much!) on the ball. So excited to see his partnership with Saint-Maximin blossom.
Sean Longstaff – N/A – Only played the minute.
Wow, you getting a bit excited with those scores…
We were poor today and got away with one, Brighton we’re by far the better side and we need to get back to out working teams.
BillytheFish(Quote)
The Chronicle gave one 10, a few 9’s and loads of 8’s… 😯
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly – I agree Schar was MOTM but I also agree you’re being generous with those score – and the chronicle must have left at half time!!.
That said, I don’t think Brighton get enough credit for just how good a footballing side they are. Just because they lack someone to stick the ball into the net doesn’t mean they aren’t a good side.
Today was hard fought. We had to dig deep in that second half and grind out that win – they aren’t always gonna be pretty.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Depends on what the scores represent
Psychology is the mental characteristics of a person or group.
sports psychology is very much underrated as something to be praised in our sport.
communication, organisation also underrated
Nufc showed all the above in handfuls today even when it wasn’t going well in the face of a pretty determined and well coached team and also good intelligence when to be incisive and get goals
Can’t always be on the front foot but maintaining the ability to do the stuff above while under pressure to get the result should be recognised in positive scores for the players
Would it be worthwhile doing a post match out of ten for the manager too and possibly a collective out of ten because so much of what we’ve seen since January is down to EH and his coaches
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
When we signed Bruno I took a look at his “greatest hits” online.
What was VERY noticeable was his desire to mess around with the ball in front of his own goal, and tying in with that there was an article by Archie suggesting that it might take a couple of goals being given away before Bruno figures out that a) you don’t get that kind of time on the ball in the Prem, and b) he’s not quite as good as he thinks.
We very nearly saw that yesterday.
BykerBill(Quote)
You know Brighton are desperate to get any extra support they could at SJP when they turned up wearing Ukraine colours.
BykerBill(Quote)
Their third kit you mean. Sign of respect I thought.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Let’s not get carried away!
We do seem to be a bit more resilient, however we have an awful run of fixtures with an imbalance of home games 5 to 7 away, and although the points are welcome at this stage they were essential when you look at the remaining fixtures.
Confidence is up which is a good thing and thankfully Eddie Howe seems to be able to motivate the players and play to their strengths, more than Bruce ever could.
BykerBill is correct with Bruno, can’t afford to P about anywhere near your own penalty area in this league and he needs a good talking to, which I hope he gets.
We need nine more points in my opinion to be safe from Crystal Palace, Wolves and Leicester at home, Southampton, Norwich, Everton and Burnley away look to be the best opportunities to get something.
Joseph(Quote)