Steve Bruce wanted to be 'fair' with Newcastle selection for Brighton | OneFootball

Steve Bruce has defended his decision to start Andy Carroll ahead of Miguel Almirón in Newcastle’s 3-0 home defeat to Brighton.

The Magpies found themselves 2-0 down inside seven minutes after Neal Maupay’s brace – the first a penalty – gave the Seagulls a perfect start at St James’ Park.

Bruce brought Almirón on in place of Carroll at half time, but there was little the Paraguay international could do at that stage to salvage anything for the Toon.

Despite the outcome, the Newcastle manager was adamant that Carroll had earned his start on the back of his performance in the away win at West Ham last weekend.

“When you’re 2-0 down after seven minutes then it becomes difficult against a team who base their style on possession,” Bruce said.

“We were better when we made the change, but I think it would have been unfair [not to start Carroll] after the performance he had last week.”

Bruce described the decision to award an early spot kick for Allan Saint-Maximin’s challenge on Tariq Lamptey as “dubious”, but had few complaints after his side were thoroughly outplayed.

“We’ve been beaten badly at home,” Bruce said.

“We have to accept we weren’t good enough. That’s what it is.”

Newcastle will be looking to bounce back when they travel to face Morecambe in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.