Eddie Howe watched as the match ended Brighton 1 Newcastle 2.
United started the match well, but Brighton quickly went on top in a first half in which Newcastle rarely threatened.
Eddie Howe made quick changes as Newcastle fell behind to Welbeck’s quality finish, with Miley and Murphy replacing Joelinton and Elanga at half-time.
That made an improvement and Newcastle were the better side in the second half, a much bigger attacking threat than the hosts.
When the fresh legs of Barnes and Ramsey were added with twenty minutes to go, United continued their lead and when Woltemade tucked away that brilliant move in the 76th minute, it looked very much like the turnaround would be complete.
Brighton held on desperately as United forced corners and created chances, the home side getting a break in more ways than one. As they counter-attacked and the ball fell kindly to Welbeck after Burn made a great block, the Brighton striker produced his second and match-winning quality finish.
Reflecting on Brighton 1 Newcastle 2, Eddie Howe asked about his team selection, keeping the same XI that defeated Union SG and Forest despite some United players facing long journeys for the internationals, whether on reflection any changes should have been made:
“When you talk about Joelinton and Bruno….
“They would be the two who could have been left out [having travelled to South Korea and Japan, then back to Tyneside].
“But Lewis Miley had not trained for two weeks and Jacob Ramsey is back from a long break.
“They are therefore difficult players to bring in, because they are demonstrably not 100 percent match fit.
“So we made the decision to go with the two guys who made the trip.
“Bruno had a much better second half than the first half, so maybe that’s not just fatigue [to blame for a poor first half].
“We were much better with the changes in the second half, a much brighter display in the second half.
“A difficult result for us.
I don’t think we played well for half an hour in the first half. We started that first half well and looked in a good place initially, then we fell away.
“We were loose with the ball in that first period and ended up getting into transition a lot.
“I wasn’t happy with the first half and I think it was time to try to wake up the team [at the break]to try to get new energy on the field.
“Different players with different qualities and I thought the team benefited from that.
“We didn’t play with our normal clarity on the ball [in that first half] and much better in the second half, much more like us.
“In the end we were very disappointed that we lost.”
Eddie Howe on the winning goal for Brighton:
“It’s a big moment.
“We chase the winner, we feel like we are the better team at that moment in the game, we chase the goal, we want to win games.
“Our midfield line is penetrated and the ball ricochets to Welbeck. He finishes it very well, but we are disappointed with the two goals conceded.”
Eddie Howe on Newcastle’s first-choice midfield trio who started the match:
“They are brilliant players but they didn’t perform well today… but I don’t think the team did.
“When we conceded the second [Brighton] goal we were the dominant team.
“We responded very well in the second half.
“They didn’t have many attacks in that period, but they did score.”
Eddie Howe on the lack of goals in the Premier League so far this season:
“That worries us.
“We cannot rely on one person.
“Traditionally, we have always been a team that scores a lot of goals in different areas and we have never been dependent on one player.
“Nick has done very well and we are happy with him, but we want more from other parts of the team.
“I thought there were chances for us today, especially in the second half.
“I thought it was a good attacking display, even if we weren’t clinical enough.”
Eddie Howe on Anthony Elanga:
“We need more from everyone.
“It’s never just about one player.
“Anthony is going to be a great player for this football club and I have no doubt about that.
“Some players need a little more time and extra support, something that has to happen positively to get to kick-off, but he has all the qualities to do very well here.
“So I have no problems or concerns about him.”
Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade:
“There is a certain expectation because we have signed a very good player who has a lot to offer with a new competition and a new lifestyle, but he has taken that very well.”
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)
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