Alexander Isak returns, but…
After Newcastle failed to take chances in the 0-0 draw at Everton before the international break, the return of Alexander Isak after three games out with a broken toe was viewed as a welcome boost for the side. Isak scored 25 goals for United last season but has struggled this season with just one goal to his name.
The 25-year-old was straight back into the starting line-up to lead the line. But that rustiness was still very much evident throughout his 90 minutes on the pitch. Isak had seven shots in the game, four of them being on target but couldn’t find the net with Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen forced into a couple of straightforward saves.
Possibly the most gild-edged chance that fell Isak’s way he wasn’t able to get a shot off as he missed the floating ball a couple of yards from goal.
The Isak of last season was clinical and ice-cold in front of goal. Isak on Saturday afternoon or this season, in general, has cut a more frustrated figure.
But after being left isolated in previous matches before his injury this was at least the most involved Isak has been in a game, it’s just a case of taking those chances.
And when asked if he was conceded about Isak, head coach Eddie Howe said: “I don’t know if his confidence has been hit. I think Alex is a very strong believer in himself.
“Just the nature of any injury creates a break in his momentum and his training. I thought he performed really well today, lots of his aspects were very good but it was just that last part, which is obviously the most important part, was slightly off.”
Newcastle United penalty shout
Something that was almost forgotten by the end of a frustrating afternoon was Newcastle’s big penalty shout early in the match. The Magpies had pegged Brighton back and were dominating chances and possession when Lewis Hall burst forward and went down following a clash with Joel Veltman.
While the coming together between the players took place outside the box, the ball appeared to touch Veltman’s arm inside the penalty area as he attempted to get back to his feet. A quick VAR check followed but no penalty was given and the Premier League Match Centre, which serves the purpose of explaining the VAR decisions offered no comment as to why it wasn’t.
“I haven’t seen it back but a couple of our coaches looked at it back and were adamant it was a penalty,” Howe said. “If I look at it back and I’m of the same view as the coaches that will be hugely frustrating because were were totally dominant at that point.
“When you have that kind of start in the game, you want a goal for your endeavours and that was all that was missing in the opening 35 minutes. If we were 2-0 up you’d go that was one of the best performances we’ve had in a long time.
“Goals always change perspectives of performances and that’s why I have to keep some kind of perspective on that.”
Not long after that, a long ball forward from Lewis Dunk resulted in a quick exchange between Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck to bypass Newcastle’s defensive line with the latter slotting the ball calmly into the bottom right corner.
