BRIGHTON, ENGLAND (REUTERS) – Brighton & Hove Albion forward Leandro Trossard’s first-half goal was cancelled out by Newcastle United’s Isaac Hayden as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium on Saturday (Nov 6) that extended the visitors’ winless start to the season.
The draw kept Brighton in sixth place in the Premier League table with 17 points from 11 games. Newcastle are second from bottom on five points.
After a dull start, the game came to life in the 22nd minute when Trossard was brought down by Ciaran Clark and awarded a penalty following a lengthy VAR check. The Belgium international stepped up himself to blast the spot-kick past Karl Darlow.
Brighton dominated the ball as Newcastle failed to create any openings, registering no shots on target in the first half.
“I wanted a win. Another VAR decision against us… I’m not disputing that but I’m talking about the reaction of the players. We have had some difficult moments this season but the group is together,” said Newcastle caretaker manager Graeme Jones.
Newcastle had Eddie Howe, who is reportedly close to becoming their new permanent head coach, watching on with Jones saying that the team were in the middle of a process and had shown improvement.
“In my time in the last couple of weeks it has been a process. You have to start with solidity, which we did against Chelsea and today we were more on the front foot. You can’t go from the Tottenham game where we were wide open to playing like Barcelona,” added Jones.
Trossard came close to adding a second immediately after the restart but his low drive was kept out by Darlow before Newcastle equalised in the 66th minute through midfielder Hayden, who volleyed home from close range.
“Up to the goal we had really good control… we did our best to keep them quiet and their goal changed the complexion of the game. It is near impossible to control a Premier League game for 90 minutes. A point is good,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter.
Brighton ended the game with 10 men and centre half Lewis Dunk in goal after keeper Robert Sanchez was sent off for fouling Callum Wilson just outside the area with the striker clear on goal.
“It looked like Callum Wilson was through, it wasn’t the best action from us, but you have to credit Newcastle who came here with a plan,” added Potter.