Newcastle United left it late but found a crucial equalizer through Alexander Isak in the 89th minute, cancelling out Brighton’s first-half lead in a tightly contested 1-1 draw on the south coast. Both teams battled for control, but Newcastle’s attacking persistence paid off as they edged the underlying numbers and found their breakthrough just in time.

A Game of Two Halves in Momentum

The momentum chart shows Brighton holding the upper hand in the first half, pushing forward with energy and carving out their best chance just before the half-hour mark, when Y. Minteh opened the scoring. However, Newcastle gradually grew into the game, especially in the final twenty minutes, piling on pressure as they chased an equalizer. The swing in cumulative xG reflects this story, with Newcastle’s tally climbing steadily and culminating in Isak’s high-value chance late on.

Breaking Down the Stats

Newcastle registered 12 shots to Brighton’s 5, with five of those testing the goalkeeper compared to Brighton’s two. Newcastle finished with an xG of 1.63, more than double Brighton’s 0.76, suggesting they had the better chances over the ninety minutes. Possession was narrowly in Newcastle’s favor at 54%, and their 96 possession sequences highlight a slightly more patient buildup compared to Brighton’s 84. Defensively, Newcastle were aggressive, committing just 9 fouls to Brighton’s 15 while winning 13 fouls themselves.

Shot Selection and Shooting Zones

The shot maps tell the tale of Newcastle’s persistence in and around the penalty area. Isak’s equalizer came from close range, contributing a hefty 0.76 xG, while Newcastle also generated shots inside the six-yard box and centrally in front of goal.

Brighton, meanwhile, were more limited, managing only two shots on target, both coming from inside the left side of the box, including Minteh’s goal.

Passing Shapes and Build-Up Play

Newcastle’s pass map reveals a fluid network with strong connections through Trippier, Tonali, and Guimarães linking midfield to attack. The right side looked particularly involved, with Trippier combining well with Murphy and Tonali.

Brighton’s passing map shows a more central build-up, with Baleba and Hinshelwood linking through Dunk and Estupiñán, but with fewer connections into the final third. Their wingbacks were busy outlets, but Newcastle’s press limited the quality of final passes.

Final Thoughts

This was a game where Newcastle’s persistence and superior shot creation ultimately earned them a deserved equalizer, even if it arrived late. Brighton defended resolutely and looked to spring forward down the flanks but couldn’t sustain their first-half threat after taking the lead. For Newcastle, the late drama keeps them in the race for a strong finish to the season, while Brighton may rue not capitalizing further on their early dominance.