Brighton’s assured defensive display gained the Seagull’s a huge three points. The European contenders Brighton and Newcastle clashed at St James’s Park on Saturday and the adjustment of tactics allowed Fabian Hurzeler’s side to get the better of the Magpies.
Brighton tried to steady the ship and prevent the atmosphere from building. Grasp control of the game, and to prevent what could have been a hostile environment, which proved to be a highly effective and well executed plan. As Bart Verbuggruen mentioned in his post match interview “the first 20/30 minutes were really important not to get them (fans) excited, the Newcastle fans behind them to kill the momentum early on in the game which I think we did really well”-from Official Brighton and Hove Albion Youtube.
In the first half Albion allowed Newcastle to dominate the ball and created a number of chances. Brighton suffered in terms of ball possession but believed their defensive shape and ability would contain the Magpies to only create a few notable chances in the first half. Isack was threaded through on goal but denied by a superb save by Verbruggen as well as Gordon taking a strike from just inside the box but Verbruggen was there again to make another smart stop.
Brighton couldn’t get into a flow in the first period of the game and as they attempted to progress forward, on a number of occasions, the Seagulls would lose possession of the ball just before the final third. However, from a clever quick free quick from the Skipper, picking out Welbeck, played it off to Georginio, who slipped a pass back to Welbeck putting him through on goal, seeing off three men and was able to tuck the chance away with a composed finish. That was Albion’s first chance and shot which shows their clinical nature within the game.
Danny Welbeck is in the form of his life. Dunk mentioned Welbeck’s impact on the dressing room and their strong relationship on and off the pitch. In 2021 when Brighton played Wolves away, Welbeck won a penalty by being taken down when running in behind, proceeding from a quick free kick from Lewis Dunk. It’s great to see their knowledge of each other’s games is continuing to flourish and strengthen.
After the goal Albion grew into the game and it became more evenly matched especially a during the first part of the second half however Newcastle still dominated passages of play and created opportunities with Isak’s shot saved, followed by Joelinton’s effort blocked as well as Gordon having a couple of opportunities- a header powered way over the bar and bluffing his lines when through on goal with a tame shot. Brighton had their chances of their own: such as Dunk’s and Mitoma’s volley and the ball falling to Kadıoğlu who took a second too long on the ball and his shot was then more easily blocked, but I believe it was their defensive structure and determination that allowed the Seagulls to get the better of the Magpies.
This defensive intensity was very impressive and even refreshing to see considering Brighton’s defensive fragility in previous matches, it may receive some criticism for being too defensively minded-a so called negative approach but I think that it’s a great to see adaptability within tactics and if you are able to differentiate what is suitable for different matches, I believe it is a great quality to have, credit to Hurzeler.
Also Newcastle’s form has been pristine at home- unbeaten in 11 before this game. This shows the win is very valuable and it doesn’t matter how you win due to it being such an extremely tough place to go. Hurzeler deserves so much praise for his tactical awareness and constant desire to improve each game, embedding a winner’s mentality within the squad. I would like to give credit to Igor and Ayari seamlessly slotting into the team and fulfilling their role with excellence.
I’d also like to discuss our squad depth. The investment Bloom has made is proving to be so worthwhile. Last season, as Brighton fans would all know, we really suffered with injuries, and with the number of players out that we had on matchday, if it was played last season we may have struggled. However, on Saturday with our new found squad depth, even with these notable absentees we are able to continue our form and hopefully continue to challenge for European places this season.
