Newcastle United fell to a 2-1 defeat against Brighton in the Premier League, and their performance was closely scrutinized on Match of the Day. Former Magpies legend Alan Shearer offered his analysis, pinpointing the key reasons behind the team’s lacklustre display and identifying who he believed was responsible for the loss.
Speaking during the post-match segment, Shearer broke down several issues in Newcastle’s setup, noting how easily Brighton managed to cut through their midfield and defence. The Seagulls claimed victory thanks to a brace from Danny Welbeck, which cancelled out Nick Woltemade’s smart finish for the visitors.
Eddie Howe’s team selection drew questions afterward, as the Newcastle boss opted to start midfielders Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, and Sandro Tonali—despite all three featuring heavily during the international break. While Howe defended his decision, Shearer was critical of the midfield’s performance, highlighting their struggles throughout the contest. None of the trio lasted the full 90 minutes, with Joelinton substituted at half-time.
“I thought Brighton were the better side,” Shearer explained. “Newcastle were far too easy to play through at times, and Brighton consistently found that spare man in front of the defence. Newcastle’s midfield covered six kilometres less than Brighton’s out of possession—that tells you everything.”
He went on to note that the heavy travel schedules of Joelinton and Bruno, who had played in Japan and South Korea, and Tonali’s duty with Italy might have contributed to their fatigue. “It was unusual for Newcastle,” he added. “Those were the first goals they’ve conceded away from home this season.”
Through a series of match clips, Shearer demonstrated how Brighton’s precise passing and movement repeatedly bypassed Newcastle’s midfield structure. Analyzing Welbeck’s opener, he said, “That’s a fantastic pass and a very clever finish. It happened several times—they just played through the midfield. Brighton’s movement and combinations were excellent.”
Following the defeat, Howe defended his lineup, explaining that potential alternatives—Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey—were not fully fit. Miley had withdrawn from England U19 duty due to a minor issue, while Ramsey was only returning from an ankle injury sustained against Leeds United.
Despite their limited fitness, both made the bench, with Miley coming on at half-time and impressing by setting up Woltemade’s goal.
“If we’re talking about players who could’ve been rested, it might’ve been Joelinton or Bruno,” Howe admitted. “But Lewis hadn’t trained for two weeks, and Ramsey is still regaining match sharpness. It was a tough call, but we went with experience. Bruno improved in the second half, and overall, we looked better after the changes—it was a much brighter performance after the break.”
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