Newcastle United slumped to a predictable defeat away at Brighton and Alan Shearer knew exactly why.
On Saturday, a first away defeat of the season was inflicted upon Eddie Howe’s side as Newcastle United lost 2-1 to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Newcastle have never won at Brighton in the Premier League era, and a Danny Welbeck brace ensured that dismal run stretched into its ninth game.
Nick Woltemade’s genius flick offered Howe’s side hope, but Welbeck’s second goal of the game secured all three points for the Seagulls.
Joelinton and Anthony Elanga struggled for Newcastle against Brighton and were duly brought off at half-time. They weren’t alone in performing badly of course, but the fact they were hooked was notable.
Newcastle fans were unhappy with Joelinton’s performance and Shearer in part referenced it after the game.
Joelinton passes the ball for Newcastle United against Brighton.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Alan Shearer issues honest verdict on Newcastle United’s midfield players against Brighton
Howe admitted Newcastle’s midfield stars did not play well against Brighton, although Lewis Miley did offer an improvement when he replaced Joelinton at the interval.
As disappointing as they were, slight caveats must be applied. Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton had to travel around the world during the international break, while Sandro Tonali picked up a slight knock while playing for Italy.
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Joelinton was a slight fitness doubt before the game, too.
Still, the Newcastle United legend zeroed in on the trio when speaking on Match of the Day, commenting on how “unusual” it was to see the Magpies concede a goal away from home.
“I thought Brighton were the better team. Newcastle, I thought, were too easy to play through at times,” he said.
“Brighton found that way of finding that extra man in front of the back four and Newcastle’s midfield and, in fact, covered 6km less ground than Brighton out of possession.
“We talk about whether it was Joelinton or Bruno travelling back from playing Japan and South Korea or whatever, or Tonali playing for Italy but it was unusual for Newcastle, the first goals they’ve conceded away from home.
Reflecting on the first goal, Shearer added: “This is what they did really, really well. Getting in those positions there and the midfield just couldn’t cope with that, it’s a brilliant ball through and it’s a very, very clever finish.
“It happened on a few occasions. There’s the midfield, they just played around them. Look, Joelinton comes in and it’s not really a press and the passing and the movement again from Brighton was excellent.
“I know they came into it a lot more in the second half, Newcastle. They took Joelinton off, they brought Lewis Miley onto the pitch, but still, they were finding those bits of space just in between.”
Old problem haunts Newcastle United again as history repeated
Tonali’s return from his ban gave Newcastle the defensive midfielder they had been crying out for.
While there were initially some teething problems upon his return, the Italian brought balance to the midfield unit when he eventually put his long-term absence behind him.
Saturday’s game, however, brought back some unwelcome memories.
Newcastle’s lack of a traditional defensive midfielder was being talked about way back in 2023. Teams who operate with players between the lines often found space between Newcastle’s midfield and their defence.
So much was made about the struggles Guimaraes, Tonali and Joelinton initially endured when playing together. On Saturday, those issues were exposed again.