Newcastle United lost 2-1 against Brighton in the Premier League and their display was dissected on Match of the Day
Alan Shearer speaking on Match of the Day
Alan Shearer speaking on Match of the Day(Image: BBC)
View Image
Former Newcastle United star Alan Shearer's analysis of their defeat against Brighton has revealed who he feels was to blame for their disappointing performance.
Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, highlighted a number of key areas as the Seagulls, at times, comfortably cut through United. The game ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Magpies, as Danny Welbeck struck twice to cancel out Nick Woltemade's clever goal.
After the game, manager Eddie Howe faced questions on his team selection, with midfield trio Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali all starting the game despite their exertions on international duty during the week.
Howe defended his starting XI choice, but Shearer also highlighted the midfield's ineffective performance. None of the trio completed 90 minutes, with Joelinton hooked at half-time.
“I thought Brighton were the better team. Newcastle, I thought, were too easy to play through at times, Brighton found that extra man in front of the back four,” Newcastle record goalscorer Shearer said.
“Newcastle’s midfield covered 6km less ground than Brighton’s out of possession, and that tells you [what you need to know].
"Whether it was Joelinton or Bruno travelling back from playing Japan and South Korea, or Tonali playing for Italy, but it was unusual for Newcastle. They were the first goals they’ve conceded away from home.”
In a series of clips, Shearer dissected how United's midfield and overall structure couldn't cope with Brighton's passing and movement.
Watching Georginio Rutter send Welbeck in for the first goal, he said: “That’s a brilliant ball through and a very, very clever finish.
“It happened on a few occasions. There’s the midfield. They just played around them. The passing and movement from Brighton was excellent.”
After the game, Howe defended his team selection, claiming that possible midfield replacements - Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey - aren’t completely fit either. Miley pulled out of England U19 duty in the international break while Ramsey hasn't played since the Leeds United game with an ankle injury.
However, both players were fit enough to go on the bench, and Miley replaced Joelinton at half-time, and was one of the shining lights in the second half with an assist for Woltemade's goal.
"If you are talking about Joelinton and Bruno - they would be the two [who could have been left out]," said Howe.
"Lewis Miley had not trained for two weeks, and Jacob Ramsey is back from a long layoff. So they are difficult players to bring in because they are arguably not 100% match fit either. So we made the decision to go with the two lads who have done the travelling.
"Bruno had a much better second half than he did first, so maybe that is not just fatigue. We were much better with the changes in the second half. It was a much brighter second half display."
Howe must now get his players rested ahead of the Champions League clash against Benfica on Tuesday night, where he will face a fresh selection dilemma.
Content Image
Content Image