A frustrating end to a rollercoaster of a season at St James’ Park, as we head into our final two away games with a 1-1 draw against Brighton. Here’s my ratings:
Martin Dubravka – 6 – Made a decent stop to deny Welbeck at 1-0. Unconvincing from crosses but did come out to sweep up once in the second half.
Tino Livramento – 6 – Got too tight to Adingra at times and his positioning sometimes allowed him and Enciso to get joy down our left, but tried to push us forward and was impressive in some one-vs-scenarios.
Emil Krafth – 6.5 – Struggled on the ball, showing how much we miss Schar’s ability to play out and pick passes, but made a few important recovery runs to stop Brighton attacks.
Dan Burn – 7 – Won a lot in the air, in both boxes, and was solid throughout. Should’ve probably scored in the first half. Looks much more solid at CB.
Lewis Hall – 7.5 – Showed real quality and positivity on the ball. Does things quickly and has clearly improved his defensive work too. Great to see him showing what a real talent he is after waiting for his chance.
Sean Longstaff – 6 – Arrived well to equalise just before half time. Often lacked lacked intensity or pace to his play, limiting certain attacks down our right and struggling to keep pace when Brighton broke.
Bruno Guimaraes – 6.5 – Tried to push us on to the win. Not at his brilliant best, yet he still got into their faces and offered that creative threat from deep. Looked gutted to draw after the game.
Elliot Anderson – 7 – Really nice link to play down the left, worked his socks off and showed composure to set up Longstaff for our goal.
Jacob Murphy – 5 – Didn’t get into the game and when he did his final ball was poor. Some poor efforts and overhit crosses.
Alexander Isak – 5 – Well below his sparkling best. Very quiet and didn’t manage to drop short, make many runs in behind or go at Brighton’s CBs. Makes sense that he wasn’t well on Friday, as he did look a bit off it.
Anthony Gordon – 6.5 – Not his best game but he was still our most lively attacker. Disallowed goal and tried to drive us forward. Looked a little jaded and decision making below his best. Wasted as a striker.
SUBS:
Harvey Barnes – 4 – Really struggled. Barely got on the ball but when he did he wasted two very decent chances.
Joelinton – 6 – Added some physicality and drive. A bit rusty and not as comfortable on the right of a midfield two.
Miguel Almiron – 5 – Bright initially, but straying offside a frustration for disallowed goal. Dive was embarrassing.
Kieran Trippier – N/A – Back after nine weeks out. Only played final few minutes
Once again a shocking first half, what was the pre match team talk, we seem to have a real problem at being up from the start and this type of display has been evident far too frequently?
IMO an unwell Isak is far more likely to score than those who were brought on, perhaps Joelinton upfront with Isak playing slightly deeper would have caused more problems for Dunk and co.
What yesterday showed was the total lack of options on the right flank, and despite the very occasional flourish by Murphy the only alternative is to switch Gordon to the RHS.
I hope along with an unreliable Wilson replacement we address these issues next season
Joseph(Quote)
It’s almost like Brighton are a decent team .. a point many toon fans seem to overlook before and after the game
An unwell isak more likely to pick up an injury if pushing too hard. Remember the ‘he runs players into the ground’ twaddle earlier this season😉
It’s a tough one to balance, but my recollection is they created enough good chances to take the game after he was subbed and but for a tight offside ( which was correct) would’ve won
Small margins. Europe Still in the toon’s hands
getreal(Quote)