A lot of pressure on Eddie Howe ahead of Newcastle United facing Brighton.
United having lost five games in a row, including four in the Premier League.
Newcastle United running out eventual 3-1 winners though on Saturday, with Osula, Burn and Barnes getting the goals.
Eddie Howe admitting after the final whistle: “I will level with you…I didn’t get eight hours sleep last night. There was a moment when I woke up, obviously an anxiety there. I really wanted the team to perform and I will sleep better tonight. A massive win, we’ve been building towards it for a while. Behind-the-scenes the players have been united, they’ve worked hard.”
A lot of speculation before the match as to which team Eddie Howe should play.
When the Head Coach went with only the one change, Ramsey replaced by now free from suspension Joelinton, there were predictably a lot of fans and journalists questioning it.
Eddie Howe explaining: “I went with players I can really trust and who I know can handle this type of atmosphere pressure. Those players have never let me down and they didn’t today. I am not picking the team on emotion, I am picking the team to win the game. I wanted pace up front with Osula and Willock, I wanted height in the team too.”
Whether I agree or not with any starting eleven that is chosen by the United boss, I love the fact that he does what he thinks is right, he is not swayed by what is said by journalists and keyboard warriors.
Eddie Howe adding this on today’s team selection: “I am very open and for me the training [before a match] is a huge reason for the team I pick, because I have to reward good performances, reward good attitude, reward commitment during the week. I can’t just base it off perception. This is where from a supporter’s perspective, they don’t get to see that. They are not party to those training sessions and I place a big emphasis on that. I accept my fate because I have picked it in good honesty with the intention to win the game. There is no politics involved with me, it is what gives us in my opinion the best chance to win a game.”
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