BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after 1-1 Brighton draw | OneFootball

Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw with Brighton.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion though, the politics almost totally absent.

A lot to debate in this game.

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Brighton fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:

‘As a seagulls fan, that was a great point against a good Newcastle side.

Both had terrible injuries this season and both in Europe which is something both supporters should be proud of.

Hoping Newcastle finish above manure please.

Also so nice to see Dan burn and the rest of the Brighton team having a good laugh at full time.’

‘Agree totally, BDB is a bit of a hero both ends of the country.’

‘Don’t know why almiron dived he was away from the defender apart from cheating to win penalty deserved booking, draw fair result just not good enough in final third.’

‘Scorpion and the frog. He is a cheat. End of.’

‘Not how that saying works.’

‘Got a soft spot for the toon but pleased to come away from SJP with something UTA.’

‘You have a soft spot for the Saudis? Have you sen their human rights record.’

‘Before you go yelling check out where your income is spent. Saudis have money globally, eg Disney, Microsoft etc. Extend the human rights failings of China and Russia and if you don’t spend with them or companies who use their factories and labour you should share how you do it. I’d like you to tell me. My water company in UK Chinese owned, how do I get out of that?’

‘Great seasons for both clubs despite crippling injuries,European football etc.’

‘Glad to see the ref booking the Brighton player for diving and Almirante, should be a game ban too but Bruno for Newcastle conned the ref about 4 times, this is where VAR should be used because it needs to stop as it influences our kids. I have seen so many kids games where they are throwing themselves to the floor because their heroes and so called professionals do it, it’s disgusting.’

‘Safe journey home Brighton fans. If any of you are staying for a night out, don’t wander into Sunderland.

Seagulls aren’t safe there.’

‘Missed opportunity for Newcastle United to finish 5th. Good luck and keep fighting for Europa League.’

‘I think Spurs’ win today would have put an end to that notion anyway. Can’t see them dropping points to Sheffield United.

Can still see Newcastle winning their last two, and they might have to now to hold 6th.’

‘Decent result for the Albion considering how badly we’ve been affected by injuries – Pedro the latest.

Good luck to Newcastle now in securing a Europe place.’

‘Despite a few poor patches, mostly caused by injuries to a thin squad, Brighton have only lost 12 games this season. They are difficult to beat and can’t be taken for granted, especially as Newcastle have a very makeshift defence. This may prove to be a good point for Newcastle, you can’t win ‘em all, and everything is still in their hands.’

‘Before people slate Almirion for diving – Saka, Grealish, Foden etc do it all the time – it’s called “simulation. And they do it all the time.’

‘Referee didn’t let game flow couldn’t get any rhythm going. Right side is concerning Barnes must be scratching his head Murphy starts ahead of him.’

‘Referee never had control of the game, allowed BHA to constantly waste time without even having a word.

PGMOL need to take these guys to task, happens week in week out with no change.

In any other sphere of work if you performed so badly you would be sacked. References the constant criticism of referees yet nothing happens.’

‘As a BHA fan, it’s looking like we’ve turned a corner at long last but too late for a Euro spot next season. But the de Zerbi question needs sorting out asap in order to hit the ground running in August. Everyone needs to know where they stand so the right decisions can be made and the right strategies adopted.’

‘Referee was shocking allowing Brighton so long to take every goal kick he should have booked Dunk and the Keeper early in the game for time wasting.’

‘You Toon fans ought not be too down.

Your team has come a long way this last 2 years.

You’re top 4 last year was perhaps a slight over achievement but there’s no reason to think you won’t carry on progressing.

Is Eddie the man to raise the bar there though?

I think he ll be there next season but an indifferent start would see him gone.’

‘We’re not too down, Europa League qualification is still in our own hands (barring an extremely unlikely Man City off-day) and we have two very winnable fixtures to come.

Chelsea have to play Brighton in Brighton, which as the 4th-place and 6th-place teams very recently found out is not going to be an easy win.’

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)

Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)