Brighton 1-2 Newcastle United: Three things we learnt

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Rafael Benitez remains a world class manager

The Spaniard deserves to be praised for his contribution to Newcastle’s victory on Tuesday evening. It is matches like these that managers earn their money and Benitez showed himself to be the best in the league against Brighton. He took a gamble as he started with Yoan Gouffran as the lone striker. The Frenchman has been used there a couple of times this season, but it was a huge shock that Benitez opted for it at the Amex Stadium and it didn’t really work.

However, the Magpies’ manager realised that and he made two attacking substitutions that changed the game. Daryl Murphy came on to add a physical presence and United immediately looked more threatening in the final third. He got the assist for the equaliser, but it was a fortunate one rather than coming from a great piece of skill. Then Ayoze Perez came on and he managed to get the winner. Benitez didn’t panic under pressure and it was these two calls that changed the game in Newcastle’s favour.

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