As Brighton’s mix of young hearts ran free, a canny campaigner condemned Newcastle to defeat in a stadium they are yet to win at in the Premier League. Danny Welbeck’s two goals were moments of rare composure in a squall of a contest. Welbeck’s also denied the Toon Army’s latest folk hero. From Lewis Miley’s pass, Nick Woltemade’s backheel flick, a speciality, had levelled the scoring.
Welbeck’s first was a moment of equal delicacy, his second saw him thrash a loose ball home. Brighton snatched a third win of the Premier League season, all against opponents playing in the Champions League, Newcastle following Chelsea and Manchester City.
A flurry of Brighton chances really ought to have killed off the contest but the problem with potential is that it may not always deliver. They passed up multiple chances against an opponent grinding through the gears. Woltemade, beginning to define the football cliche of decent touch for a big man – his touches are often gossamer – has provided thrills, but those around him are missing the high mark expected of them.
Newcastle’s midfield of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães represented a significant test for the callow Brighton duo of Carlos Baleba, 21, and Yasin Ayari, 22. It was passing with flying colours. The Newcastle trio have claims on being the best unit in the Premier League, particularly when Joelinton’s muscle is in full effect and Tonali is dictating play. Not that Guimarães is the lukewarm water between their fire and ice; Eddie Howe’s captain has a habit of finding scoring positions and should have done better with an early attempt skewed wide. He would lead his team’s thwarted revival, but in the first half the youthful duo assumed near total control.
