Despite Newcastle United winning their first Premier League game away to West Ham United last weekend, it was an energetic Brighton & Hove Albion who just brushed them aside this afternoon.
Toothless Newcastle United Have Nothing to Match Energetic Brighton
3-0 Win for Brighton at St. James’ Park
It was a brilliant display by Graham Potters’ Seagulls. A quick-fire brace from Neal Maupay put Brighton two goals up inside ten minutes before Aaron Connolly added a third late on.
Yves Bissouma was dismissed for the visitors but it didn’t matter as the damage had already been done. It’s now one win and one defeat for both sides in the Premier League season so far.
Recurring Problems for Newcastle United
Newcastle United have brought in Callum Wilson to try and give them the firepower they lacked in their last campaign. The Magpies managed just 35 goals in the league last season. Whilst Wilson did score on his debut last week, he couldn’t manage to muster any sort of attacking prowess against a well organised and energetic Brighton side.
Newcastle attempted long balls over to Wilson to make use of his pace but time and again he was outdone. The excellent Tariq Lamptey was pitted against Wilson and when Wilson looked to get clear, Lamptey not only beat the Newcastle striker but made a strong and clean challenge with his left foot.
The issue once more for Steve Bruce is that they simply do not score or create enough chances. They had not one shot on target this afternoon. Whilst some of that is down to Graham Potter’s tactics, much of it was down to Newcastle lacking creativity and energy in the final third.
Tariq Lamptey
Allan Saint-Maximin will have nightmares over Tariq Lamptey. The young right-back tormented the Newcastle player who was a standout for Newcastle United last season. After three minutes, Lamptey ran and weaved his way into the Newcastle penalty area when Saint-Maximin brought him down. The Brighton youngster, a product of the Chelsea youth academy, gave a complete display. He was strong on the ball, he brushed off opposition players and got forward at every opportunity. The only thing missing was a deserved goal. Lamptey will hurt many teams this season and Brighton have got a star on their hands. His calmness and reading of the game is top drawer for his tender years.
Steve Bruce Struggling to Find Right Formula
Steve Bruce has added Premier League experience to his squad with Wilson, Jamal Lewis and Jeff Hendrick yet they never troubled Matt Ryan in the Brighton goal. Ryan was a spectator for 90 minutes and if Steve Bruce wasn’t concerned about his squad before this game he will be now.
Bruce has been vocal in his thanks to owner Mike Ashley for backing him but with that comes additional pressure to get victories. His lacklustre and disjointed team offered so little against Brighton and whilst new players may take time to gel, too many performances like this one and Bruce will be looking over his shoulder very quickly.
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