Notes from the Press box after a vital 3-1 win over Brighton
10:00, 03 May 2026Updated 10:05, 03 May 2026
Nick Woltemade(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United ended their two-month search for a victory with a 3-1 success over Brighton & Hove Albion.
It was an afternoon of high emotions as Newcastle were pushed to the limit by an excellent Brighton side who dominated the second half. Despite flying into a 2-0 lead through William Osula and Dan Burn, the Magpies were put up against it when Jack Hinshelwood rounded off an incredible move from the visitors.
But Harvey Barnes’ coolness in front of goal in stoppage time put the lid on a vital win that breathes new life into the 2025/26 campaign. Here’s a look through some of the notes from the Press box during Saturday’s roller-coaster affair.
Anthony Gordon crowd response
The forward has not featured since the 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace after picking up a hip flexor injury in training and missing a couple of matches. Gordon’s absence sparked conspiracy theories after he’d been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and it is believed there is substance to the interest from the German giants.
Gordon was only deemed fit enough to be on the bench, but Chronicle Live reported last week that there are no issues between the England international and Howe or the club. The fact that Yasir Al-Rumayyan held a conversation with a smiling Gordon after the game spoke volumes.
But any fears that Gordon would be in for a hostile reception after those links with Bayern were dismissed in the first half. Despite not getting a kick, the ex-Everton man went for a warm-up in the first half and was afforded a warm response.
The knowledgeable Geordie crowd know already that the club will be forced to sell stars this summer due to SCR. Owners PIF want to pump more money in but are restricted by the rules and there is now an acceptance that Gordon and another big-name may go.
The worry stats that won’t be ignored by backroom team
To say Newcastle weathered a storm at times against Brighton is perhaps an understatement. However, nobody can argue that United weren’t clinical and goals win games. Behind that narrative, though, lies a few concerns on Newcastle’s grip – or lack of one – on the contest overall.
Howe was irked by claims that Burnley had inflicted an onslaught on them back in December. But Brighton’s 68% possession and dominance in the game was evident when the stats dropped afterwards. The Seagulls had a whopping 506 passes compared to Newcastle’s 237 and has 28 touches in the United box compared to 24 from the home side.
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Brighton’s afternoon could have been different if they’d been more clinical, and Yankuba Minteh’s miss might have altered the narrative completely. But that’s football, Brighton failed to take their chances and Newcastle secured the points.
Still, plenty to work on in training in the next few days for Howe and his staff.
Howe said after the game: “It was always going to be difficult game today, Brighton play very fluid, open, attractive football and we are not in that moment. We had to withstand a bit of pressure, ride our luck, but we were always a threat and scored a third.”
Nick Woltemade’s mood before and after the game
Woltemade knew before the game he was going to be on the bench after getting an indication from Eddie Howe in the build-up to the match.
It is now five months since Woltemade started a Premier League game in his preferred striker role, or the position United paid £69million to play him in. Once again though William Osula justified his selection with another goal to take his tally to seven for the season.
Performances in training are the metric for players to be picked, according to Howe. Woltemade looked tense as he arrived at the ground and did not smile in the team picture after the game but there is no meaning to it, other than natural disappointment from a player who wants to be involved – Howe won’t have an issue with that.
In fairness, any striker worth his salt who isn’t playing or scoring is going to have a face like thunder. Howe was pressed on his picks after the game and reflected: “I’m very open – I go into the week and I go ‘right, let’s see how the players train.’
“For me, training is a huge consequence to the team that I pick, because I have to reward good performances, good attitude, commitment during the week. I can’t just base it off perception. I then need to see it delivered and that’s where, from a supporter’s perspective, they don’t get to see that. They’re not party to those training sessions and I place a big emphasis on that.
“I accept my fate because I’ve picked it (the team) in good honesty with the intention to win the game. There’s no politics involved with me, it’s what gives us, in my opinion, the best chance to win the game.”I went with players I can really trust, and I know can handle this type of atmosphere and pressure. Those players have never let me down and they didn’t today.”
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