What else can be written about Newcastle United this season? Consistently inconsistent, promising on occasion, and more recently, rather abject. The culmination of all of that meant that ahead of the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion to St. James’ Park on a delightful May afternoon, the Magpies could still finish as high as sixth but as low as 18th. One extreme would potentially bring a return to the Champions League, whilst the other would mean relegation. The phrase ‘it’s all to play for’ seemed appropriate here.
Of course, given how poor Newcastle have been in recent weeks, supporters have been looking down the table rather than up it, a sad indictment of just how uninspiring the Magpies’ league campaign has become. That made the victory that followed both sweet and relieving in equal measure, but it was one that came about thanks to a return to Newcastle’s “old warriors”, as one journalist described them, to which Howe agreed.
“I went with players I can really trust and can handle the pressure”, Howe made clear, with the likes of Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock all picked from the start. The selection paid off as Newcastle won 3-1, with grit showed by those players.
In attack, Howe had again opted for William Osula, someone who the Head Coach stated he would “definitely like to keep” at the club.
Howe commented that Osula is “a player of really rich promise”, adding that “a lot of work and time has gone into his development”, which in the last few weeks has started to shine through. It was his opener that ultimately set the tone for Newcastle to claim the three points.
Prior to that, there was definite tension inside of St. James’ Park in the opening minutes as Brighton moved the ball around in comfortable fashion. Carlos Baleba’s effort that struck the top of the crossbar did nothing to calm the nerves, although Osula was starting to show glimpses at the other end.
A glimpse was all Osula needed to make it one-nil. The ball was switched towards Jacob Murphy, with Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen charging out in an attempt to dispossess him. Instead, Verbruggen made a complete mess of things, allowing Murphy to pick out Osula in the middle, who headed into the empty net. Such is the erratic nature of the young Danish forward, as the ball flew through the air towards him there was trepidation even in that split second, but Osula proved he had ice in his veins.
Soon it was two, when Dan Burn headed home a Bruno Guimarães corner from the left. Burn’s inclusion at left back over Lewis Hall had been questioned by some prior to Arsenal the week previous, and again against Brighton, but Burn perhaps justified his place in the team with that header.
Of course nothing is ever straight forward with Newcastle United. Whether that is trying to win a cup, qualify for the Champions League, announce plans for a new training ground or stadium, or more recently, keep a clean sheet. Given all of that, Brighton pulling a goal back just after the hour mark felt like an inevitability. It came from Jack Hinshelwood, who darted into the box to score with a great finish past Nick Pope, with the Newcastle keeper having distributed a poor kick out just moments earlier.
The final exchanges were nervy. Brighton came forward and should have equalised when Yankuba Minteh blazed over the bar at the back post with the goal gaping. That was a let off.
There were certainly tired legs starting to show in black and white, but as if energised by the crowd who were ready to erupt at the sound of the final whistle, Newcastle started to attack themselves. Yoane Wissa had a chance, as did Joelinton, but it took Wissa to dispossess Jan Paul van Hecke, before squaring to Harvey Barnes to seal the deal.
On the touch line there was relief from Eddie Howe as he was swamped by coaching staff and players. He has needed that moment, that feeling for so long now.
Brighton may have “dominated” in stages according to Head Coach Fabian Hürzeler, who was frustrated that his side did not take more of their chances, but sometimes football comes down to small moments of emotion, which is exactly how it felt as Barnes’ shot hit the net.
Eddie Howe will sleep well tonight, he said so himself following the match. He also revealed that he had woken up the night before with anxiety, simply hoping that his players delivered a good performance against Brighton. Overall, it wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. Enough for Newcastle United, and enough for Eddie Howe, for now.
