Not for me, a splendid view from up in the Gods, my first time in the away end at St James’ Park. A perfect aerial view to observe Brighton’s neat triangles and confidence on the ball. Make no mistake - this is a real footballing revolution taking place.
4:30pm arrives, and we are treated to the weekly spot ‘Try and make sense of Potter’s starting line-up’. It’s becoming somewhat of a sport. A debut for young Steven Alzate, and a first league start for loanee Aaron Mooy. Seen a lot of indifference directed towards Mooy - think that’s maybe a tad unfair. Clearly a talented player, and in his first PL season with the terriers, he stood out above his teammates. We also wanted to sign him upon promotion, but eventually turned our attention to Davy Pröpper. Will be a good squad player for us.
Underway, in very pleasant Tyneside weather, and it’s Albion who have the majority of the early possession. That’s the sort of thing you write on the expectation it will change at some point - but no. Albion were in control of the ball, of the tempo, and of the game through the entirety of the first half.
After nine minutes of quick exchanges and effortless, sexy ball keeping, the first opening for the Seagulls: Stephens collects and finds Pröpper in the half-space between the lines. Maupay is on his bike already, Davy looks up and plays him in. The Frenchman races away, under the close attention of Dummett, who gives the diminutive striker an almighty barge - but Maupay holds his ground. His shot from a tight angle is blocked by Dubravka, a smart stop. Come on lads!
It’s all Albion. Not just keeping the ball for minutes at the time, but when we do lose the ball, the speed we win it back is frightening. The team is unrecognisable from some of the insipid away days of seasons gone by - we have a complete stranglehold on the game. Newcastle can’t get a kick, Bruce looking furious on the sideline - a raging, sweaty beanbag with a face bright red - presumably, out of embarrassment that his team is being utterly schooled.
Alzate receives the ball then dances inside, combining with Maupay, then a cheeky nutmeg to evade trouble. He feeds Montoya, who’s tempting cross is put behind for a corner, to the dismay of … *checks notes … ahem, 43,000 Geordies. Yeah right.
Pascal goes over to take the corner, and whips a dangerous cross onto the head of Captain Dunk. It loops up, please, go on...off the crossbar! Sake, come on Albion! For all our control, our frankly insane 76% possession, we need to make it count. Chances should continue to come... but we need to put them away. Or we know what happens. Andy Carroll 90+1.
Suddenly, a huge scare, COMPLETELY against the run of play. Shelvey wins a header, and the ball breaks for Joelinton, touches it on, and it’s poked through. Please no. Almiron steadies himself, with time to pick his spot. The Paraguayan fails to keep his composure, and swings a leg at the ball, only able to leather the ball straight at Ryan. Credit to Maty though, a strong hand to parry the ball away from danger.
Albion back on the attack, a lovely exchange between Webster and Groß down the right sets the centre back away. Webster gallops away from the Newcastle backline like prime Cafu, only to scuff his attempted cross with all the grace and poise of Chuba Akpom. Unlucky lads, keep at it. Oh, and we won the ball back about 10 seconds later, courtesy of a marvellous crunching tackle from (Big) Dan Burn. Team full of personality, love it.
More chances to get that vital goal come Albion’s way, to no avail. Burn advances down the left, released by Mooy. The defender lifts a cross to Pascal, free at the back post - SCORE IT. The German opts to try and finds Maupay with a header across, but it’s diverted away. The Toon on the ropes now, the home fans can’t even be bothered to muster any substantial stick towards their team. Stunned silence, bar the roar of encouragement floating down from away fans upon high.
Another huge chance, another brilliant overlapping run from Adam Webster. The former Bristol City man slides the ball into Groß, who feeds Montoya. A shimmy from the right-back, waiting for the right time to release the ball, eventually finds Webster who’s ghosted in behind. This is an absolute joy to watch. Now from joy to incredible frustration. Webster’s cross finds Maupay who’s initial shot bounces straight back to him. Neil turns, and must see Alzate standing four yards away, alone and unmarked. He has to pass.
At 2-0 maybe, take the shot. But it’s 0-0, away from home, and we desperately need the points, if just to have some reward for the level of our performance. Maupay’s second attempt is predictably smothered, Alzate has his head in his hands. We have played them off the park, all it takes is that moment of composure. Those are the fine margins.
Pascal adds a bit of invention with a delicious backheel to send Pröpper away - the Dutch international looks up, and spots the run of Mooy...but the onrushing midfielder can’t quite control his effort. We’re clapping enthusiastically, but shaking our heads...disbelief at how we haven’t forced a goal in this first half.
Then on cue, another massive let-off. Newcastle escape their half for some brief respite, and win a corner. A few orchestrated movements and a smart ball in is all it takes, and the cross finds £40 million man Joelinton completely free. His downward header goes across goal, and drops mercifully past the post. Would have been a sickener.
With the break approaching, Albion continue on their mission to go as close as possible without actually scoring. A fine move, the impressive Alzate escapes down the left, who feeds Groß. Pascal embarks on a world record attempt for most Cruyff-turns/switches of foot in 10 seconds, and has Willems in knots. His eventual cross finds Alzate, who nods home...only for the flag to go up immediately. Sake. An improvement on a 3-minute wait for VAR I guess.
Half time, and just the 76% possession for the away side. We’ve been so comfortable on the ball, and Newcastle so, so poor. Story of the season however...all the play, but no end result. Come on Albion, ****ing put them to the sword. We are SO much better.
The second half begins, and no change. Maupay tricks past his man, only for Lascelles to block his driven effort. Albion reclaim the ball immediately, 6ft 6 Dan Burn flicking the ball with his heel past Almiron. Pascal lines one up, and leathers the ball just over the crossbar. Getting closer.
Twenty minutes remaining, and another nice move, Mooy driving forward to support Groß. The Australian sizes up Schär, then goes across to Pröpper - who lifts a delightful pass over Newcastle to Maupay, who takes the ball down...but volleys over. ARGGHH. Keep at it lads. Any minute now, right?
That’s Mooy’s last action, as he’s replaced by Connolly. The stage is set, Aaron. Do what you do best.
This was the moment. I’m still not over it. What a move, WHAT A GOAL it would have been. Stephens finds Alzate, who tricks away from two Toon players. Alzate to Burn, back to Alzate, with another nice bit of skill. This kid, wow. It almost breaks down, but Albion fight to keep the ball - nothing new. Stephens then fizzes an incisive forward pass into Groß, who flicks the ball over the top first time. Connolly is through, in a race with Dubravka. The young Irishman gets to the ball and lifts the ball wonderfully over the goalkeeper, wheeling away to celebrate his first Premier League goal. But somehow, inexplicably, Schär launches himself, practically dislocating his spine to hook the ball clear. HOW.
Such an unlucky moment for the young lad, but you can see why he’s going to be a top player. Not on for 5 minutes, and he finds himself in goal scoring positions. Our academy is really starting to pay dividends, the young talent we have at the club and out on loan is absolutely phenomenal. Sure our friends up the road aren’t worried though - we can only envy the famous South London talent conveyor belt, right?
As Newcastle get the ball away, substitute Saint-Maximin races away and releases Joelinton one-on-one with Lewis Dunk. Dealt with expertly by our captain, but he’s fuming Montoya didn’t stop the flying Magpie winger earlier. He’s definitely a handful, need to keep alert not be done on the counter.
With time ticking, the only sour note on proceedings. Maupay threads in Alzate, who anticipates contact from the onrushing Newcastle keeper. No such contact came though, a disappointing dive from the youngster. Hopefully that’s something he loses from his game as he develops, no one wants to see it, full stop.
Bong and Bissouma enter proceedings, but Albion just can’t force a winner. Newcastle LEGEND and football celebrity Andy Carroll gets his testimonial, but can only contribute whacking Lewis Dunk on the back of the head as the game draws to a close.
All in all, plenty to be positive about. Such a fantastic debut from Alzate, Connolly so close to a dramatic winner off the bench, and my word, our play was so enjoyable and refreshing to watch at times. Incredibly, Newcastle managed less possession against the mighty Seagulls, than Watford did against Manchester City in their sobering 0-8 defeat. But as well we know, it’s a results business. Hopefully we’ll have better luck against a dodgy Chelsea defence next week. It’s a funny old league.
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