One 7.5 and a frustrating 4/10 - Player ratings from Newcastle 0-1 Brighton

A tough one to take and tale of missed chances as Newcastle United lost their first home game since January. Here come our marks out of 10.

Pope (6.5) - Virtual spectator for most of the game but mate one good save to keep it at 1-0. Couldn’t do much about the goal.

Livramento (6)- Dynamic in attack offering a consistent outlet but was outmuscled by Welbeck for the Brighton goal and nearly gave up a second to Mitoma.

Schar (6) - Didn’t have too much in the way of defending, but couldn't keep with Welbeck for his goal. On the ball, he started off most of our attacks with his pinpoint long range passes. Great ball over the top should’ve been finished by Gordon.

Burn (7.5) - Typical Dan Burn performance. Whole hearted, dominant in the air and always willing to throw his body in front of the ball, making one goal saving block to deny Brighton a second.

Hall (6.5) - Much more assured defensively (aside from one lapse) but just lacking the cutting edge in the final third, despite some tidy approach play. Performances trending in the right direction

Tonali (6.5) - Some lovely touches in the first half but fizzled out as the game wore on. Combination with Bruno still a work in progress

Guimaraes (7) - Demands the ball always and played some delicious through balls. Looks much better when he plays quickly in possession.

Joelinton (6) - Still not at the level we’ve come to expect from him. Needs to improve and fast with Willock, Miley and Longstaff waiting in the wings

Murphy (5) - Failed to make the most of some good attacking positions in the first half. Linked up well with Livramento but didn’t create anything of note. Played more of a RWB role at times and had a poor second 45.

Gordon (6.5) - Lively start to the first half as he looked like the most likely to create something. Gave Veltman nightmares early on and should’ve equalised in the second half. Looks a player in need of a confidence boost in front of goal.

Isak (4) - Somehow played the full 90minutes even though he was clearly rusty. Rare poor touches, struggled to link the play and missed a golden chance in the first half. Not a good performance.

Subs:

Barnes (6) - Unlucky not to start but offered a directness in the second half. Should’ve made the most of some good crossing positions.

Willock (5) - Quiet after coming on. Never seemed to get out of second gear and was disappointing

Almiron (5.5) - Energetic without any end product. Story of his Newcastle career with the exception of that glorious purple patch

Longstaff (5) - Wasted some good set piece positions late on and looks to have settled into a role as a squad player.

Osula (NR) - Nice to see him stretch the legs!