TF Player Ratings - Brighton 1-1 Newcastle Utd

On day when we grabbed what might prove a vital point, Scott has United all at 6s and 7s

May 04, 2025

Nick Pope - 7

Pope didn't have much to do against a side who showed minimal ambition over the 99 minutes. In fact his biggest contribution going into the last quarter was to fake an injury so Howe could give the lads an eloquent bollocking. If you can bollock someone straight after pneumonia. Pope did push up a shot from O’Riley after that, but that was hardly convincing so I will stick with my original judgement. Had nothing to do.

Kieran Trippier - 7

The sort of game Trippier revels in and I thought he was one of our better players today while still being stylishly understated. A great block stopped us from going two down just after half time which surely would have been insurmountable, and though every time Brighton attacked he had Minteh breathing down his neck seemingly, he pretty much saw him off.

Tino Livramento - 6

Started the game very well but seemed to have a mad five minute spell in the first half where he lost his boot and seemed to be on terra firma more than the ball did and I didnt think he recovered from it. Not himself and his day summed up by running the ball out of play down the left not long before we equalised.

Dan Burn - 7

Not massively overworked on his return to his former side but did ok, though he seemed to lose his man in injury time which should surely have seen the winning goal. Early on he fared well against a fired up Minteh but did get away with what looked like a clear booking on the touchline and let Trippier deal with him from then on. It was a wise move.

Fabian Schär - 7

I keep repeating myself here, but again not massively troubled for the vast majority of the game. What he did have to do he did without any major alarms, but without really standing out either. Let’s face it, come the end of the season if we are talking about Bayern Munich, Lazio or Roma, the only contribution that counts was his free kick which was crudely handballed and got us our penalty.

Sandro Tonali - 7

Brighton had obviously done some Tonali viewing before this game and their homework was well worth it as it nullified what has been our key player in the last few months. They flooded the area he normally prowls and at one point he picked up the ball on the edge of his own ‘D’ and in that sort of position Tonali just isn't where you want him to be. He got quite easily beaten as Minteh came inside to score but, that said, made a tremendous block to stop a second. I still think on another day the Brighton lad could have seen red for the tackle on him as well. They obviously thought so as well as he was brought off soon after.

Bruno Guimarães - 7

I don't know if it's just me but we are getting to the stage now where opposition fans are picking out Bruno as a villain and I don't know if he plays that role as well as you would think. A player who gets involved in more than he should doesnt need egging on by anyone, and there's no doubt when he's in a fettle his game suffers. I thought Bruno did ok generally today but we needed him to take the game by the scruff of the neck, when in reality there was more chance of grabbing one of their players like that.

Joe Willock - 6

The big chance given to him by Joelinton’s injury wasn't taken in all honesty. The most frustrating two things here are: a) I’m desperate for him to do well and b), he's getting into the positions but not looking remotely like giving a finished product like say Murphy does. Could have scored early on as he flashed and outside of the boot shot over, but the dive and the running the ball out of play in the same positions will be all that will be remembered until he starts producing.

Jacob Murphy - 6

Started well but sort of ground to a halt as the game went on like a runaway train brought to a slow impasse because of cattle on the line. If you know what I mean. A nice one-two with Bruno and some promising runs deep in the Brighton area threatened a lot, but it was a surprise to no one that he made way for Gordon.

Harvey Barnes - 7

Looked one of our most dangerous players when the ball was at his feet, and he got at Brighton but it didn't happen as much as it should have, as Barnes either drifted in and out the game or he was starved of the ball. Delete as appropriate, depending on whether you think Barnes is the new messiah or just, well, alright. Twice he shot not far away in the first half in which he was our best player and his cut back should have been feasted upon in the second, but a frustrating day for him all in all. Does he have to get switched to accommodate Gordon though? Every time? Discuss.

Alexander Isak - 6

I’m not particularly bothered if Isak’s first touch in their box was the penalty. He's there to score goals (which he ultimately did and now has done 26 times this season) not do ‘keepy ups’ on the halfway line. That to me isn't the issue. Lately though, even his biggest fans (and I'm one of them) can say that he's busting a gut to get on the end of things. I don't think he's fit and I'm sticking to that.

SUBSTITUTES

Anthony Gordon, for Murphy 56 minutes - 7

When he initially came on , it looked like a substitution from the gods as he immediately tore at Brighton down the wing and almost straight away looked like he had got us a penalty before it was rightly overturned. After that injection of pace and intent, however, it really petered out and his ballooned shot into the away end summed up the second part of his sub appearance.

Callum Wilson, for Willock 74 minutes - 7

More like himself when he came on today and caused a nuisance and was a goal threat. If Wilson’s not a pain in the arse for opposition defenders there's no point. He had a header palmed away in the penalty (that was given ) chaos and in the 96th minute was denied a winner not for the first time at this ground, by a great one handed save.

Sven Botman, for Schär 97 minutes

Not on long enough to get a rating but he's back. Get in!

Emil Krafth, for Trippier 97 minutes

Not on long enough to get a rating but he's still here. Get in!

Scott Robson