Eddie Howe updates on condition of Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson ahead of final 2 games | OneFootball

Eddie Howe watched on as his team came back to equalise and take a point from the home game against Brighton.

The final home match of the season and the football not quite living up to the weather, as we had sunshine over St James’ Park.

It wasn’t for lack of effort and on the day, maybe lacking a bit of quality in the final third.

That not helped by the absence of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak having to be subbed during the second half.

Ahead of the final two games of the season, Eddie Howe giving some detail on the condition of his two strikers.

Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson having missed the Brighton match:

“He was just feeling unwell and a little bit of tightness in his body, no injury.

“Hopefully he can be back very quickly.”

Eddie Howe explaining why he was forced to sub Alexander Isak midway through the second half on Saturday:

“Alex wasn’t feeling very well on Friday, so I took the decision to look after him, with a three game week in mind.

“You could see he wasn’t at full tilt [against Brighton].”

Eddie Howe on the match overall:

“Tough game, we knew it would be.

“Brighton are always difficult opponents.

“I don’t think we hit the heights we needed to win it, but if anyone was going to, I thought it would be us.

“It was a poor goal for us to concede.

“We started well, we were progressive, then out of nothing they take the lead.

“I’m just disappointed with our product around the box and there probably weren’t enough clear cut chances created.”

Eddie Howe reflecting on the backing at home this season and the fact that this is the first top flight season in 65 years since United have scored in every league match at St James’ Park:

“It is an amazing thing and something we don’t overlook.

“To score in every game here is incredibly difficult, against some very good teams.

“I think we have been very good with the ball this year and our attacking play has been excellent.

“Of course, the challenge for me is to grow that and improve that, which will be difficult for next season.

“But I certainly think there are things within the team that we can look to improve and we’ll try to make us a stronger outfit.

“Without a doubt the environment created by the supporters has helped us this season.

“Even when Brighton scored, the fans got right behind the team, but we just couldn’t find that winning goal.

“They have made this place a really difficult place to play.

“This season the crowd have taken it to another level.

“If you are not going to win the game, the draw for us is really important.

“I think it could [prove to] be a valuable point for us.”

Stats via BBC Sport:

Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 – Saturday 11 May 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Longstaff 45+5

Brighton:

Veltman 18

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Brighton 45% (40%) Newcastle 55% (60%)

Total shots were Brighton 15 (10) Newcastle 18 (10)

Shots on target were Brighton 4 (3) Newcastle 7 (4)

Corners were Brighton 4 (3) Newcastle 8 (6)

Referee: Darren England

Newcastle team v Brighton:

Dubravka, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Hall (Trippier 90+2), Longstaff (Joelinton 68), Bruno, Anderson, J Murphy (Almiron 68), Gordon, Isak (Barnes 68)

Unused subs:

Pope, Dummett, Ritchie, White, A Murphy

(Match Report – A glut of frustration at St James’ Park – Read HERE)

(Match of The Day call out ‘Paraguayan Diving Team’ after shambles at St James’ Park – Read HERE)

(Roberto De Zerbi with some interesting comments on Newcastle United after taking away a point – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 – Instant Newcastle fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 – Frustration and not fun in the sun BUT this point could be crucial – Read HERE)

Newcastle United matches now confirmed for rest of the season:

Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)

(The final day of the season live TV matches will be selected closer to the day but all 10 PL games will be same time same day)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)