Put simply, this was an absolutely disastrous day for Newcastle United.
Dumped out of the FA Cup thanks to Danny Welbeck’s extra-time goal – despite taking the lead early on through Alexander Isak’s penalty – but it was a costly afternoon on so many others fronts.
Anthony Gordon’s second half red card rules him out of the Carabao Cup final, Sven Botman missed out again – his slow recovery from another knee injury is a worry – Lewis Hall (ankle) was not in the squad and will be seeing a specialist next week and Isak limped off late on after receiving treatment on his recent groin issue.
The performance was a total mess, too. Our lack of pace in an totally unorganised back line was alarming, our midfield was disjointed, our passing sloppy all afternoon and Barnes – who may be needed in the cup final now – offered next to nothing once again.
Eddie Howe has made SIX changes from the defeat at Anfield on Wednesday night, seeing Dubravka, Trippier, Miley, Joelinton, Barnes and Isak replace Pope, Hall, Bruno, Willock, Murphy and Wilson.
Newcastle XI: Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Miley, Tonali, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
Subs: Pope, Wilson, Targett, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Willock, Longstaff, Bruno.
We made a bright start and missed a chance to take an early lead within five minutes, as good work from Gordon and Barnes ended with Isak firing over from close range at the second attempt.
On 15 minutes, Joelinton gave the ball away in a bad area with a careless pass across the back line, but had Schar and Burn to thank as both stood up well to stop Brighton getting a shot on Dubravka’s goal.
It was a flat game that needed a goal and we were handed a big helping hand from non other than Yankuba Minteh, who was late on Livramento to give away a cheap penalty midway through the first half. Isak stepped up and absolutely buried it. His 22nd of the season and a superb penalty into the top left corner at the Leazes. 1-0 Newcastle.
Isak BURIES the spot kick to put Newcastle in front! 💥
No chance for Verbruggen.#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/rVAvx5KtG8
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 2, 2025
Isak then had the ball in the back of the net after a stunning early strike smashed past Verbruggen, but the flag went up immediately as the Swede strayed just offside from Barnes’ through ball. With semi-automated offside technology in play for the first time in a domestic game at St James’ Park, it didn’t take long to see the strike was a yard off.
Minutes before the break, Brighton drew level. Burn was out of position and Minteh burst beyond Schar after being slipped in by Joao Pedro, highlighting our lack of pace at the back before his one-vs-one strike was deflected in off Trippier. An equaliser out of nowhere and the visitors first shot on target, but it was 1-1 and a goal on the Gambian’s first start at St James’ Park following last summer’s PSR-driven move to the Amex.
Our start to the second half was flat and so was the atmosphere in St James’ Park. Brighton were dominating possession again and Dubravka was called into action on 55 minutes, getting down well to stop Joao Pedro’s low effort.
Changes then followed a minute later, where Joelinton – back from injury and booked – Miley and Barnes were replaced by Willock, Bruno and Murphy in a bid to inject some life into our slow start to the second half.
Isak and Bruno then combined superbly down the right, but Bruno’s cut-back was cleared by Lamptey. The resultant corner from Trippier hit the first man and Murphy’s giveaway allowed Mitoma to break, seeing attack turn into defence in a one-minute period that summed up our sloppy second half so far.
We just couldn’t stop giving the ball away in a game that was becoming more and more end to end; hardly what we wanted against a Brighton attack full of pace against a Newcastle defence completely lacking it. But still, it was a game there to be won for whichever side wanted it more.
A huge chance then came our way and Willock HAD to do better. Isak found Livramento and his cross from the left was superb, only for Willock to miss-time what should’ve been a simple finish from point blank range.
Another change came as Targett replaced Trippier, seeing Tino move back to right-back. Perhaps a tactical move, but Trippier was in discomfort at one stage in the first half.
More sloppy moments continued, however. Murphy over hit a simple pass after doing well to rob Estupinan, Tonali and Targett lost the ball in bad areas and Schar’s efforts to play out from the back were wayward, with the usually composed Swiss looking erratic once again.
Anthony Gordon has been sent off! 🟥#ITVFootball | #NEWBHA pic.twitter.com/uJ4WJTIwDE
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 2, 2025
Then, a moment of madness from Gordon followed, not only impacting our efforts to win this game but the league cup final in a fortnight’s time. A shove to Van Hecke’s face off the ball was spotted and punished with a straight red card, ruling him out of the next three games and leaving us down to 10.
In between all of that, Isak also hobbled off after needing some treatment, presumably struggling with the groin issue that kept him out at Anfield in midweek.
Wilson came on for 10-man Newcastle, although it was soon 10 vs 10 as Lamptey received a second yellow for his late foul on Murphy. Even so, Gordon’s red felt so costly, so avoidable and a huge blow to our hopes of beating Liverpool in two weeks time, not to mention the fact he’ll also miss two other games.
A messy second half then ended with what looked like a stoppage time winner from Schar, who volleyed in a free kick from the right. But offside technology showed the Swiss had just strayed offside and extra time followed, where Dubravka made a massive save to deny Gomez’s goal-bound strike from the edge of the box.
In the second half of added time, Tonali had a powerful shot blocked as the ball fell his way and the Italian was also at the centre of another attack as Murphy, Bruno and Wilson combined in a desperate scramble in the box.
Then, as they always threatened to based on our disjointed midfield and lethargic back line lacking in organisation or pace, Brighton went ahead. Livramento was caught napping to leave Welbeck well on side and the striker dinked over Dubravka to make it 2-1 with just five minutes left of added time. Burn had a chance to equalise, but his shot flew through a busy box and that was the game gone.
Injuries, absentees and Gordon’s moment of madness aside, I thought Isak, Tonali and Tino were the only two Mags who could come away with any credit, with the former the only attacker taking responsibility.
An absolutely disastrous day at St James’ Park, where everything that could’ve gone wrong did.
Next up, a trip to West Ham a week on Monday before the cup final at Wembley in two weeks time.
HWTL.
Not the result we wanted but it was an enthralling cup tie, before the game I thought our form would not be good enough.
Make no mistake Brighton are a good footballing side with one touch slick passing and movement, something we seem incapable of.
There was plenty effort today with the exception of Barnes, and we did have some unlucky moments but I think they just about deserved the win.
Minteh was the one that got away despite his rawness as he works his socks off.
Disappointed to say the least with Gordon getting sent off due to his moment of madness and lack of discipline, suppose he will rightly get his punishment by missing the final.
Joseph(Quote)
I am usually very positive about the team, but knew in the first half, we were struggling, the defence again left us wide open for a counter and left Trippier and Dubravka to try and cover the whole back line, it was Trippier who got to the ball but sadlly his own goal too. Not looking good at all just now, need something to change or our season will end badly. Hwtl
Kiddafromthetoon(Quote)
Very disappointing performance. Several players were just not there. I didn’t see much desire to win. I disagree, Olly, with your players of the match. I thought Tonali and Livramento for me, were our best players overall. That Willock opportunity, on my god, he needed to bury that. I really hope the lad does NOT get a repeat of the abuse when he missed a similar golden opportunity a few weeks ago.
We got what we deserved… nothing. We are too inconsistent and were poor today.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Stop moaning – it’s ok, we’re still in the FA Cup, nailed on for the Champions league, in the Carabao Cup Final…….delete accordingly when these rapidly go down the spout. One gone today.
Soon there will be one great big ball of nothingness.
Oh, and this time next season Wilson, Murphy, Targett, Longstaff, Schar, Burn, Krafth, Dubravka etc will all still be at the club. Isak, of course will be a distant, fading memory as will Gordon, who will have gone somewhere else to achieve his “boyhood dream of winning trophies”. Thanks Anthony….all the best.
The Panther(Quote)
The craziest thing about the Gordon sending off is that the ref had already blown up for offside.
With Hall already missing yesterday with injury & Isak limping off as well – it isn’t the best of lead ups to a final.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m not going to lie, when we signed Barnes I thought it was a good signing. I know we had Gordon but Barnes numbers in the PL were very good when we signed him – we were buying a good player & I trusted they had a plan.
But it seems either there was no plan, or the plan has changed – and it may have changed due to Barnes injuries & form.
He is not cutting it in a Howe team and to be honest, I forgot he was on the pitch after about 10 mins yesterday.
He is a talented lad but if he doesn’t step up & force his way into becoming a key player in this squad then we need to move him on – coz at the moment he’s not even a decent back up player.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sorry but I’m on one today.
This whole contract extension **** has to stop too. We have too many players at the back end of their careers who have lost that yard of pace & arguably that hunger.
The current one being talked about is Schar – who has done a great job for us but his performances have definitely dropped off.
But you look through our squad and at least 3 keepers are on short term contracts – Gillespie, Ruddy, Pope.
They have extended the contracts of Krafth, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Lascelles – Target is out of contract in the summer … that’s truly ridiculous!!.
Turning to Wilson yesterday who is also out of contract in the summer – and absolutely shouldn’t get an extension by the way. Wilson is not a like for like substitution for Isak – he needed either Gordon or Osula along side him yesterday.
My biggest concern is despite all the talk – we don’t have any young players forcing their way into this aging squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Now the dust has settled and in the cold light of day. The reason we lost to Brighton was they were better than us. Their quick slick and accurate passing all over the pitch continued all the match we were second best most of the time. To cap it all we both brought on our ageing strikers at the death theirs got the winner ours got nowt.
‘The curse of the silverware’ continues! Next chapter ‘The Caraboa cup'(little chance)
Followed by the Final chapter ‘The Champions League’ (can we can’t we?)
Fasten your seat belts its ‘gonna be a bumpy ride’
nutmag(Quote)
My only hope is that Gordon seems like the kind of kid who will know that he’s cost us & come back from his ban wanting to make amends – he could come back a kid possessed & all guns blazing to get us into that CL slot 🤞🏼🤞🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Let’s hope so mate, because his guns haven’t been blazing for quite a while now. Same for quite a few of our players.
Partly, I think it’s the total lack of competition for places due to our lack of recruitment for three windows now. Complacent in the extreme.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We are still in a great possession & let’s not forget the many years where we’d be long out of both cup competitions & be facing a relegation battle run in.
But it’s hard not to feel like someone has just taken a massive pin to this seasons bubble like ☹️☹️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Absolutely Sharpy. But just look at those quarters in the FA! We missed an opportunity for sure.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Felt very deflated after the cup game, mainly because that’s our last chance of silverware gone as lets face it, we’ve no chance v Pool in the final, too many injured out of form and banned.
Our hunt for silverware is as forlorn as my current job search 😞I do however have an interview on Tuesday, so like us in the final you never know, but don’t hold your breath.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim, First good luck for Tuesday
The cup final is the perfect stage for individual players and team to make a name for themselves!
Get stuck into them from the ‘get go’ all teams can be upset and knocked off their game there’s always hope when your a toon supporter!
Don’t forget Kim ‘you are interviewing them as well as them interviewing you’ Again best of luck!
nutmag(Quote)
Well all the results going against us this weekend and down to 9th as it stands. We need to win just to get back up to 6th. Leicester are awful. As are Spurs.
Good luck Kim!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’m in South Africa on holiday at the moment and heading to Cape Town tomorrow morning for a week. Very unlikely that I will be able to watch our match on Monday night.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Thanks Nutmeg and Gilly.
kimtoon(Quote)