Saturday afternoon’s match ended with Brighton 2 Newcastle 1.
Before each match, we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives after the match.
On this occasion it is The Armchair Fan who tells his positive and negative sides…
The Toon traveled to Brighton on Saturday afternoon hoping to grab three points and work their way into the top six.
Unfortunately, the reality was somewhat different as a jaded performance from the Magpies was punished by the Seagulls, who scored late on to secure a 2-1 victory.
Woltemade
How good is our new striker?!
That’s now five goals for our big German, who has shown quick feet, a good hold-up and an eye for goal.
On Saturday he showed off his skills with a back-heel strike that completely wrong-footed the Brighton keeper.
This was a brilliant goal from a striker who was on top of his game, and long may it remain so.
Fixtures
Our opening games have produced some tough fixtures, both home and away.
Our three opponents in the next competition, Fulham, West Ham and Brentford, provide the ideal opportunity to put nine more points on the board and climb the table, bringing both form and confidence to NUFC.
Remember, the Toon were in the bottom half of the league last December before some incredible form saw us qualify for the Champions League.
Team
With our bench looking stronger every week and injuries on the horizon for Livramento, Hall and Wissa, we finally have a squad capable of competing in all competitions.
Saturday saw the introduction of Miley and Murphy at half-time and United immediately looked more threatening. It was Miley who equalized for Woltemade and having players who can change the game will serve us well for the rest of the season.
NEGATIVES
Result
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: football is a results business and losing to Brighton is simply not good enough if we are serious about qualifying for the Champions League.
Scoring the equalizer with fifteen minutes to go was the perfect springboard to take all three points, unfortunately we once again failed to take the initiative and left with nothing.
League table
We started the weekend with the ambition to be in the top six, but now find ourselves in a lowly thirteenth place.
This could even drop to fourteenth if Brentford win their match on Monday evening and move just four points clear of the relegation places.
The sight of a certain red and white clad team in the top seven does little to change my feelings about this.
Form
Two wins, two draws and two defeats in the last six league games show a complete lack of consistency.
We need to start building good form before the manic December period to avoid being completely adrift in the European countries.
Cup wins over Bradford and Union SG were nice, but our bread and butter is the Premier League and now it’s time to start winning games week in week out.
Brighton 2 Newcastle 1 – Saturday 18 October 2025 3pm
(Statistics via BBC Sports)
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Woltemade 76
Brighton:
Welbeck 41, 85
Possess was Newcastle 54% Brighton 46%
Total shots were Newcastle 16 Brighton 13
Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Brighton 5
Corners were Newcastle 4 Brighton 8
Touches in the box Newcastle 25 Brighton 29
Newcastle team vs Brighton:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno (Osula 86), Joelinton (Miley 46), Tonali (Ramsey 70), Gordon (Barnes 70), Woltemade, Elanga (Murphy 46)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Krafth, Willock, Schar
(Newcastle United lose to Brighton…Read HERE)
(Brighton 2 Newcastle 1 – Match ratings and commentary on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)
(Brighton 2 Newcastle 1 – Direct response from Newcastle United fan/writer – Read HERE)
#positive #negative #points #Brighton #Newcastle