Nick Pope required to be at his best against excellent Brighton as they were frustrated by Newcastle as Graham Potter “couldn’t believe we didn’t score.”
Potter’s men had two efforts cleared off the line and forced Pope into two fantastic saves. Pascal Gross missed a sitter late on as they didn’t get the result their performance deserved at home.
Potter said: “I couldn’t quite believe we didn’t score but our attacking performance was very good. They defended well but that’s life. We can be very positive about today. There was excitement and intent from us.”
Only Norwich (12), Watford (17) and Burnley (18) scored fewer goals in home games last season than Brighton (19) and on this showing, not much has changed in that regard despite their ability to create clear-cut chances. The result comes with the backdrop of last season’s top goalscorer Neal Maupay in talks to sign for Nottingham Forest in a £15m deal.
Potter confirmed the interest is there for his striker, who wasn’t in the matchday squad. “There is a bit of interest. Huh [Maupay] is considering things, just like any human being. We will see how it develops.”
Pope, a £10m summer signing for Newcastle from Burnley, is already proving his worth as he recorded back-to-back clean sheets – only Ederson (56) and Alisson (43) have kept more than his 37 shutouts since the start of the 19/20 campaign.
This was Newcastle’s first goalless draw in the Premier League for 50 games whilst this was Brighton’s 15th since Potter’s appointment – the most of any Premier League side in that period.
How Brighton got the performance but not the result…
Despite the scorching heat, both teams, buoyed by their impressive performances last weekend, started with great energy and fizz in their attacks. Callum Wilson – and the away end – thought Newcastle had taken the lead on 13 minutes when the striker steered the ball home from a tight angle but the referee had already blown for a high boot by Wilson on Adam Webster.
Brighton, usually so dominant with the ball, were happy to play with a bit more counter punch and Solly March came within inches of firing his first goal for almost two years but Kieran Trippier somehow cleared off his own goalline with Pope beaten.
Adam Lallana then really should have found a way past Pope just after the break but his close-range header was brilliantly tipped away, one-handed, by the England goalkeeper. It was now Brighton dominating the ball and Newcastle had few answers to their relentless pressure and passing.
Set pieces seemed the away side’s best route to goal and the returning Dan Burn, who left Brighton for Newcastle, squandered a glorious headed chance on 66 minutes when bulleting Trppier’s corner wide of the post.
That was the last of Newcastle as an attacking unit with a backs-to-the-wall job required to see them to a point. Pope showed more remarkable reflexes to deny March on 73 minutes as Brighton sensed a winner. Kaoru Mitoma replaced the bright Leandro Trossard moments later but if Newcastle thought that would lessen the Brighton threat, they were wrong as the Japanese winger put in an impressive cameo.
Nick Pope excelled for Newcastle at Brighton
It was his sharp wide play that looked to have set up Gross for the winner with five minutes remaining but somehow the midfielder – who had scored twice at Old Trafford last weekend, forced the effort wide from six yards out. A familiar sight for the home fans but yet again they couldn’t quibble with the level of performance.
Man of the match: Nick Pope
When it comes to shot stopping, there aren’t many better in world football than Pope. Not only is he a giant of a man, he has the reactions to back that up – as shown by his wonderful save to deny Lallana. At £10m, he could prove the signing of the season when the dust settles later down the road.
“He was top class,” said Howe
“He’s a relaxed figure, popular in the dressing room. He made important saves and already showed his importance to us this season.”
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Potter: ‘I couldn’t believe we didn’t score!’
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Brighton boss Graham Potter gave his reaction to Sky Sports following the 0-0 draw against Newcastle
Brighton boss Graham Potter said: “I thought we played really well against a good team. They’ve got dangerous players with pace and power.
“I couldn’t quite believe we didn’t score but our attacking performance was very good. They defended well but that’s life. We can be very positive about today. There was excitement and intent from us.”
Howe: ‘We rode our luck’
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Brighton v Newcastle – Howe post-match
New Castle boss Eddie Howe said: “It was a difficult second half, Brighton played very well, we rode our luck after conceding a good chance. We needed every ounce of energy to see it out.
“In the first half we had some good moments and counter attacked well but our final ball let us down. We had a number of moments, but the last pass or action never came to much.”
What’s next?
Brighton face West Ham United at the London Stadium next Sunday at 2pm whilst Newcastle are in front of the Sky Sports cameras when they host champions Manchester City, also next Sunday, with a 4.30pm kick off.