The Media Review: Newcastle United

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Albion were good value for their point at Newcastle on Saturday.

Nick Szczepanik

2024-05-12T09:30:00Z

Julio Enciso was at the forefront of Albion's attacks in the first half at St James' Park.

Newcastle United are followed by a group of football writers based in the North East who are also born and bred in that unique corner of the football world and have been accused of seeing everything through a black-and-white filter.

Whether that is true or not, this column is well aware that the Geordies who occupy the St James' Park press box can be as fair-minded and objective as anyone. And in most cases, their reports of Albion’s 1-1 draw on Tyneside included plenty of praise for the efforts of Roberto De Zerbi’s men.

Most led with the consequences of the result for Newcastle’s chances of a return to Europe, but with the Magpies in the top six with two games to go, that was the right call. However, they were not blind to Albion’s contribution.

Long-time Toon-watcher Louise Taylor wrote in The Observer that “Eddie Howe’s team are on a mission to return to Europe next season, preferably in the Europa League, but Brighton’s fancy footwork proved sufficiently bamboozling to place a potentially significant dent in those ambitions.

Joel Veltman scored his first goal of the season in the draw.

“Even a manager as meticulously assiduous as Newcastle’s could not quite cater for his rather fatigued players’ frequent outmanoeuvring at the feet of the impressive Julio Enciso and friends.

“The visitors duly took an early lead when the home defence failed to cope with Pascal Gross’s corner. Having spun away from his supposed minder, Elliot Anderson, an unmarked Joël Veltman connected with Danny Welbeck’s flick-on and scrambled the ball beyond a rather nonplussed Martin Dubravka from close range.

“A raft of injuries dictated that Roberto De Zerbi’s side were some distance from full strength but they passed and moved with real assurance while the influential Enciso missed a couple of inviting chances. They prompted a string of expletives from De Zerbi.

“As the interval approached Brighton’s manager could not fail to have noticed that his team were losing their earlier ability to slow the game down when it suited them, despite much impressive positional interchanging.

Roberto De Zerbi and Eddie Howe embracing ahead of the game on Saturday.

“An equaliser beckoned and, deep in first-half stoppage time, Sean Longstaff scored it, the midfielder tapping in after Anthony Gordon and Anderson combined to unhinge the visiting rearguard. Yet as the match wore on Brighton stubbornly refused to fold.”

In T****he Mail On Sunday, Jason Mellor wrote that “Roberto De Zerbi couldn't contain his frustration as he smashed his fist into the dugout but Newcastle had more reason to rue an outcome that did little for their European hopes.

“The Brighton boss took his anger out on the perspex covering at his side's sluggish start, but they recovered sufficiently to come away with a deserved point to dent the hosts' bid for a top-six finish.

“In truth, neither side did enough to merit victory and Brighton remain without a win on the road in six attempts. A point keeps them in the hunt for a top-10 finish and it will not be lost on Newcastle that de Zerbi's men can do them a big favour in midweek with a victory over Chelsea, one of the Geordies' rivals for a European spot.”

Roberto De Zerbi shouts at his team from the touchline at St James' Park.

The Sun on Sunday bemoaned Newcastle’s injuries this season without mentioning Albion’s, but admitted that “Eddie Howe's Mags never did enough to see off Brighton. They've been scoring goals for fun recently but their front line faltered badly here.

“While Brighton had nothing to play for other than finishing in the top half [a matter of opinion], Newcastle needed a win to strengthen their grip on sixth. Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi was going potty on the touchline in the early stages as his side struggled to get out. But they soon took control and the travelling fans were jumping with joy 18 minutes in.

“Danny Welbeck glanced Pascal Gross' corner towards the back post and Veltman outmuscled Elliot Anderson to bundle home beyond Martin Dubravka.

“As Brighton bossed possession, Toon struggled to find any rhythm or momentum.

Watch all the action from St. James' Park, as the Albion secured an important point on their Premier League run in. In partnership with MPB. The largest platform to buy, sell & trade used camera gear - https://bit.ly/MPB408

Cut to shreds down their right, Danny Welbeck played Simon Adingra into acres of space before the winger charged towards the box and picked out an unmarked Julio Enciso at the back post, only for the Paraguayan to spoon a header well over.”

A couple of the broadsheet writers looked down their noses at Albion’s game management. Luke Edwards in The Sunday Telegraph acknowledged that "Brighton did enough to secure a well-earned draw,’ but added that “it was an intensely frustrating game. Brighton took an early lead through Joel Veltman and then did their best to irritate and frustrate their hosts. They were good at it too, ensuring Howe’s side could not build up any real attacking momentum, with some pretty blatant time-wasting tricks, but also some sharp passing play to keep possession.”

According to Martin Hardy in The Sunday Times, “Brighton & Hove Albion revelled in their role as party-poopers. They made Newcastle shoot towards the Gallowgate End and down the slope in the first half, Bart Verbruggen took an age for each goal kick to antagonise the home support, and it worked. By the 18th minute they had been rewarded for their tactics when a corner from Pascal Gross was flicked on by Danny Welbeck and Joel Veltman prodded past Martin Dubravka at the far post, having got ahead of Elliot Anderson.”

The BBC’s Harry Poole wrote that “this was another positive result for Brighton at the end of an inconsistent, injury-disrupted season.

“Captain Lewis Dunk could not hide his frustration with his team-mates as the Seagulls struggled to settle, but Veltman's opener allowed them to threaten frequently on the counter and Julio Enciso had several good chances to improve his side’s position.

“It was ultimately their determination in defence that earned them a point, which leaves them 10th in the standings as they aim for a top-half finish with two home games remaining.”