Newcastle 3 Brighton 1 – Saturday 2 May 2026 3pm
Instant fan/writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.
Nat Seaton:
‘An improved home performance resulting in a win that has been a long time coming.
We lived dangerously at times in the second half but managed to hold on and when Barnes’ shot went in it was a massive release to emotion.
Well done lads, keep going, things are still not what you would like but we can’t fault your effort.
On to the City Ground next weekend, looking forward to it!’
Billy Miller:
‘Extremely grateful and relieved to see us get back to winning ways.
If Spurs don’t win tomorrow we’re mathematically safe, which will quiet the muppets claiming we’re in a relegation battle.
Definitely not vintage Newcastle yet but if we win again next week we could well be back in the European picture.
It’s a funny old game.’
David Punton:
‘Relief all round at St James Park as we finally get a win.
That second half wasn’t pretty, in fact it was nerve shredding, but we saw it out and Barnes was able to add the goal to seal it.
We’ve got Nick Pope to thank for some big saves but the least said about his kicking the better.
There was a summit with the owners up at Matfen Hall this week, but it didn’t alter Eddie Howe’s team selection.
Issues remain but this could be a big result for him – though for my money he’s still termed ‘under pressure’.
It’s also nice to beat Brighton for a change, they’re a bogey side most of the time.’
The Armchair Fan:
‘Get in there!
Brilliant result against a form team.
First half was the best we’ve played in ages with Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton bossing the midfield and Osula looking dangerous every time he went forward.
Superb assists for the goals from Murphy and Bruno.
Second half was incredibly nervy but thankfully we got the job done with a great finish from Barnes. Onwards and upwards!’
Tony Mallabar:
‘Phew, phew, and phew thrice.
Not a memorable performance but 3 points in the bag.
Once again the heedless chicken proving me right..the guy’s got the heart of a lion but also the football brains of one.
Big Nick and Wissa should hang their heads in shame because this lad has more gumption and spirit than those two put together.’
GToon:
‘At last a win.
Safety and the chance to reset and recreate NUFC Mk 2 under Eddie.
Not much else to say really.’
Simon Ritter:
‘Eight hours on a Seagull Travel coach that left Worthing at 04.50, full of Albion fans and staff plus one member of the Toon Army.
We parked up on Barrack Road a few minutes before 13.00 and were on our way back to Sussex by 17.18 after a heart-stopping match in which we missed a hatful of chances but still managed to score three.
Neither keeper had a good game, Howe waited too long to make his substitutions, Wissa missed an absolute sitter . . . but a win is all that matters after four consecutive defeats.
My man of the match: Big Dan Burn.
Worst player on the pitch, according to the Brighton fans: Yankuba Minteh.’
Matt Busby said…:
‘What a finale.
First our keeper, so low on confidence and no wonder given the way some fans that sit around me routinely slate him, makes a fantastic save before Wissa sets up Barnes to clinch it.
We rode our luck at times but thoroughly deserved all three points, juat like we have in other games I could mention where we came away with nowt.’
Newcastle 3 Brighton 1 – Saturday 2 May 2026 3pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Osula 12, Burn 24, Barnes 90+5
Hinshelwood 61
Possession was Newcastle 33% Brighton 67%
Total shots were Newcastle 13 Brighton 13
Shots on target were Newcastle 6 Brighton 4
Corners were Newcastle 2 Brighton 7
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 24 Brighton 26
Newcastle team v Brighton:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno (Ramsey 91), Tonali, Joelinton, Willock (Hall 68), Jacob Murphy (Barnes 68), Osula (Wissa 68)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Trippier, Gordon, Elanga, Woltemade