Eddie Howe has praised both VAR and Alexander Isak’s mental strength after Newcastle United salvaged a 1-1 drawagainst Brighton at the Amex Stadium. The Magpies were forced to come from behind after Yankuba Minteh put Brighton ahead, but Isak’s calm penalty in the dying minutes kept their Champions League hopes alive.
Newcastle was awarded three penalties in the match, but two were overturned by VAR due to fouls being just outside the box and a dive by Joe Willock. Eventually, after a third lengthy VAR check, Isak converted from the spot to score his 23rd Premier League goal of the season, making him the first Newcastle player to achieve such a feat since Alan Shearer in 2002.
Howe: “Ruthless Mentality” Key to Isak’s Success
Despite the dramatic sequence of events, Howe credited Isak’s composure, highlighting the ruthless mentality the striker has shown throughout the season. In a match that could have easily turned in Brighton’s favor, Isak stepped up to deliver the crucial goal.
“It would be very, very easy to miss that moment. But he didn’t. He’s got that ruthless mentality to scoring goals. He’s got the coolness of mind to just take a step back and go, ‘right, this is what I need to do’ and deliver it for the team.” — Eddie Howe
Howe also spoke about how the team’s inability to cope with Brighton’s physicality and set-pieces reflected the issues they’ve faced throughout the season. But despite these struggles, the point secured from the draw keeps them in fourth place, three points ahead of the team in sixth.
| Statistic | Brighton | Newcastle |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Possession | 45.9% | 54.1% |
| Shots on Target | 2 | 5 |
| Total Shots | 5 | 13 |
| Corners | 1 | 4 |
| Fouls | 15 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
Key Call-Outs:
- Alexander Isak scored his 23rd Premier League goal, becoming the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer to achieve this feat in a season.
- VAR played a significant role in the match, with two potential penalties overturned before Isak converted from the spot.
- Newcastle drew 1-1 with Brighton, leaving them three points ahead of sixth place in the Premier League.
- Eddie Howe praised Isak’s composure and called it a key moment for the team’s chances of Champions League qualification.
What’s Next for Newcastle?
The 1-1 draw against Brighton leaves Newcastle in a strong position to fight for Champions League qualification. With Isak’s goals and VAR decisions going in their favor, they will need to maintain focus and continue to push for a top-four finish. Howe will hope that Isak’s ruthless mentality will continue to drive the team forward in their final push for the season.
Do you think Newcastle United can secure a Champions League spot this season? How important will Isak's goals be for their push? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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