Newcastle United could only manage a lacklustre draw against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League. It was a match in which neither side were able to create many chances, and 1-1 scoreline seems fair at the end. The result sees Newcastle stay put at the 13th position in the league table while Brighton goes four points clear of Cardiff City.
It was Ayoze Perez, who kept his goalscoring form intact with another goal in the first half to get his side in the lead. This was shortly before his substitution due to a challenge by Shane Duffy. Pascal Gross, however, scored the equaliser in the second half from Glenn Murray’s assist. Murray came close to making it 2-1 for the Seagulls towards the end of the match, but he squandered the chance as the game ended in a draw.
Here is how the Newcastle United players were rated from their draw against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Martin Dubravka: 6
Made a couple of saves throughout the match. Could have done better to save the header from Gross. Had a rather quiet night otherwise.
Javier Manquillo: 6
Did well to keep the pressure on the opposition attackers down the right wing. Did not participate in the attack much.
Fabian Schar: 6
Could have done better to stop Murray from getting the cross to set up Gross for the goal. Made some crucial tackles throughout the match otherwise.
Federico Fernandez: 7
His return to the first team was a solid one. Did not let the fans feel the unavailability of skipper Jamaal Lascelles in the heart of the defence.
Paul Dummett: 6.5
Kept getting into tussles and kept the ball away from the danger area with his clearances. Looked a little fatigued in the dying moments though.
Matt Ritchie: 7
Kept getting the ball in the danger area but lacked the guile to deliver the passes. Tormented the opposition with his classy footwork.
Issac Hayden: 6
Did well in the second half to stabilise the midfield. Failed with his defensive approach in the first half though.
Jonjo Shelvey: 5
Could not create much of a difference in his return to the starting lineup. Played some misdirected passes as he failed to initiate attacks from the midfield.
Christian Atsu: 6
His pace and dribbling skills were well handled by the veteran defender Bruno throughout the match. Could not get any shots on target.
Ayoze Perez: 7
Continued his good run with another goal to get his side out of jail. In fact, his shot was the only one on target from the Magpies in the entire match! Was unfortunate to have been caught in a tussle which led to his substitution around the half-hour mark.
Salomon Rondon: 6
A disappointing outing for the Venezuela international as he could not get his side on top of the hosts in this crucial match. His physicality was immense but could not get any shots on target. Laid off the assist for Perez en route to his goal.
Substitutes
Kenedy: 5
Lacked the attacking threat carried by Perez.
Ki Sung-Yueng: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Yoshinori Muto: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
