NUFC player ratings vs Brighton – Two 3s, several 4s, a few 5s and one 6

An awful performance and third straight defeat as Newcastle United were beaten 3-1 by Brighton at the Amex last night.

Here’s our marks out of 10 and comments on a Saturday night to forget for Eddie Howe’s Mags.

Nick Pope – 3 – Made two costly errors in the build up to their first goal, miscuing his clearance before spilling Gilmour’s shot into Ferguson’s path. Looked shaky throughout.

Kieran Trippier – 4.5 – Didn’t let his head drop like some, but was pinned back by Mitoma and Estupinian and almost gifted them another after passing it straight to Joao Pedro in our own box. Saved almost certain goal by taking it off Mitoma’s foot at the back post late on.

Fabian Schar – 4 – Got dragged out of position, picked up an early booking and was very nearly sent off for a stupid lunch at Lamptey when the game was already gone. Looked reckless without Botman.

Dan Burn – 3 – Had a bit of a stinker against his former club. Struggled to cope with Ferguson, gave away too many fouls, got nowhere near his man for Brighton’s final two goals and was rightfully booked late on.

Matt Targett – 4 – Looked like a player who’d only started two Premier League games since the turn of the year. Poor on the ball, switched off positionally and often seemed a yard or two off the pace. Made one or two last-ditch tackles on March, who he really struggled to contain.

Sandro Tonali – 5.5 – Created an early opening for Isak after bursting in down the right and cutting the ball back, but was caught in no mans land between Trippier and Almiron as Brighton broke forward. Should’ve done much better with his air shot clearance in the build up to their opener. Struggled defensively but showed glimpses of his undoubted class on the ball.

Bruno Guimaraes – 4 – Made a promising start with a lovely first time pass into Isak in the opening moments of the game, but he looked like he was running through mud at times and offered so little protection to our back four, struggling to pick up Joao Pedro.

Joelinton – 4 – Passed a late fitness test to start but didn’t look fit. Didn’t get close to Brighton’s midfield and played like a man carrying a knock. Never got going and fired one decent chance wide in the first half.

Miguel Almiron – 4 – Pretty anonymous throughout. Almost saw a deflected cross sneak in early on but that was about it.

Anthony Gordon – 5 – Created an opening for Joelinton soon after we went 1-0 down, but missed a good chance of his own in the second half, firing well wide at the back post. Tried to make things happen but very little came off. Was booked in the first half for a late challenge and didn’t cause Veltman enough problems, despite his clear pace advantage.

Alexander Isak – 5 – Made some really good runs and posed a threat in the opening stages, but a lack of decisiveness cost him, with chances created by Bruno and Tonali wasted by the Swede. Often too isolated, as he was at Man City.

SUBS:

Callum Wilson – 6* – It says a lot about our display that our highest mark is a 6, thanks to his consolation strike in stoppage time. Didn’t get many touches, but did well to come inside and slot home after Longstaff’s hopeful punt in behind.

Elliot Anderson – 4 – Didn’t really impact the game. Plenty effort but the game passed him by as Brighton entered cruise control. Couldn’t quite get close enough to Ferguson for his second.

Sean Longstaff – 5.5 – Tried to add a bit of intensity and fight to our midfield, yet was largely chasing shadows. Grabbed an assist after his lofted through ball was finished by Wilson.

Harvey Barnes – 4 – Barely got a kick.

Jamaal Lascelles – 5 – Played the final 15 minutes and helped steady the ship.

Newcastle fans – 10 – A 16-hour round trip, yet all you could hear was the travelling Toon Army at 3-0 down. “Is this the way the Barcelona…” They deserved more.