One point closer, transfer talk and Sunday’s six-pointer – The Toon Review

It was a tricky afternoon on the south coast on Sunday, but Newcastle were able to escape Brighton with a vital point in the race for European football next season.

A late penalty from the free-scoring Alexander Isak rescued the draw against a very sturdy opposition, who now, however, find themselves in 10th and unable to achieve a finish in the European places.

United, meanwhile, currently sit fourth in the table with just three games left to play, level on points with Chelsea in fifth and just a point behind the resurgent Manchester City in third. It’s still all to play for, and with the title and relegation spots having already been long decided, all eyes will be on the hunt for Europe.

As always, I’m Sam, and welcome to this week’s instalment of the Toon Review.

Point shared with the Seagulls

It was a largely frustrating affair for the most part at the Amex on Sunday afternoon. It was made even more frustrating when Newcastle old-boy Yankuba Minteh (although he never actually made a first-team appearance for the Magpies) broke the deadlock in the 28th minute with a deflected strike after cutting in from the right. His celebration, initially viewed as one of respect as he mimicked praying in front of the travelling Newcastle supporters, turned into one in which he confirmed the reality: Brighton was his home now and he couldn’t be more happy about it.

What followed for Newcastle in the second half were a series of controversial penalty shouts as they scrapped and clawed to try and get themselves back on level terms. In the first incident, substitute Anthony Gordon was adjudged to have been fouled outside the box. The second saw Joe Willock booked for what the referee and his VAR room saw as simulation. It took until the very end of the game for United’s luck to change, as the visitors were awarded a spot-kick after yet another yet another lengthy VAR review, which showed that Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari blocked a Fabian Schär free-kick with his hand. Isak stepped up and calmly fired the ball into the bottom left corner. It was third time lucky for Howe’s side in terms of penalty incidents, but it was probably no less than they deserved.

The Magpies hung on defensively in added time to record a crucial point at the Amex, and keep the pressure on those around them to keep getting results. With three tough games still to play in the near future, every point is pivotal, which is why Sunday’s result was such an important one. They may not have left the south coast with all three points, but a draw will certainly do.

What Howe Said

“I thought we were the better team today, without being at our absolute best.”

On the performance of the substitutes: “They’ve got to come on with the right attitude and deliver what we needed them to do. I thought they all added to our performance, and that’s what you’re looking for.”

On VAR and penalty incidents: “If the Anthony [Gordon] one was outside the box then fair enough. I haven’t seen the Joe Willock incident back. It’s a difficult one to call. I thought the third one was a stonewall penalty, and I’m pleased that it was given.”

“It’s important that we didn’t lose. Our energy and our attitude was to take the game to Brighton and I thought we did. There was a lot to like about our performance.”

The Rumour Mill

Lloyd Kelly has made the required number of appearances to turn his loan move to Juventus into a permanent one. (Calciomercato)

Newcastle are monitoring 29-year-old Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, who will leave the club when his contract expires in the summer. (Sun)

Newcastle are interested in Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, but are concerned by his £60 million price tag. (Telegraph)

The Magpies will not enter a summer-long pursuit of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, after learning from last year’s failed attempts to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. (i paper)

On This Day…

The 8th May 1996 saw an absolute goal-fest, as United were defeated 6-5 by a Nottingham Forest XI in a testemonial match for Stuart Pearce, who starred for both clubs as part of a stellar career in which he also accumulated 78 caps for England. It was a day of great celebration at the City Ground.

It was an odd game, especially when you consider that Kevin Keegan, Newcastle’s talismanic manager at the time, entered the pitch and added a goal of his own from the penalty spot.

Also on this day, four years later in 2000, Sandro Tonali was born in Lodi, Italy. Many happy returns, our midfield maestro!

What’s Next?

Chelsea (H)

This weekend, Newcastle will host UEFA Conference League semi-finalists Chelsea at St James’ Park in an eye-watering clash at the tail end of the season. The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports on Sunday afternoon (12pm), as the world watches which side will give way in the race for a top-five finish.

Chelsea have won their last three Premier League games, so it will be a tricky test for United. However, this is a game top teams should be winning and, with Howe’s side able to enjoy the advantage of playing in front of a raucous St James’ Park crowd, the pressure will be on Newcastle’s top players to deliver a top performance.

This really is a six-pointer in the race for those Champions League spots. HWTL.

Toon Trivia

Last week, I asked you which nation former Newcastle and Brighton boss Chris Hughton became head coach of in 2023. Well done if you correctly answered Ghana.

With United hosting Chelsea and their boss Enzo Maresca this weekend, let’s see if anyone can get this one right. Which English club did Maresca begin his senior playing career at?

That’s all for this week. See you soon!