Neal Maupay scored twice as Brighton cruised to a comfortable Premier League victory over an under-par Newcastle at St James’ Park.
It was a superb all-round showing from the Seagulls and the perfect response to losing their opening game to Chelsea.
French forward Maupay was the early beneficiary as Graham Potter’s side took control, scoring twice in the opening seven minutes, with his first goal coming via a penalty after the impressive Tariq Lamptey was tripped by Allan Saint-Maximin.
His second, which was checked by the video assistant referee for offside, was a close-range finish to the bottom left corner at the end of a move down the right involving Lamptey and Leandro Trossard.
Newcastle, who struggled to recover after a sluggish start, did not manage a shot until the 40th minute and failed to register one on target throughout the whole game.
Brighton, who saw Trossard hit the post from long distance, rounded off a fine performance when Aaron Connolly curled in a right-foot effort.
Yves Bissouma was sent off for the visitors late on when his attempted flick over his shoulder saw him catch Jamal Lewis in the face with a boot. It left both sides to finish the game with 10 players, Lewis unable to continue and the hosts having already used all their substitutes.
While Potter was taking positives in defeat on Monday, he will have been delighted to see the industry and creativity of his side fully rewarded six days later.
A lightning start and some typically slick football saw his team slice through Newcastle on several occasions to gain a two-goal cushion they rarely looked like relinquishing.
Just as pleasing is the form of 19-year-old Lamptey, who was outstanding for the second successive week.
The recently capped England Under-21 international turned down a new contract at Chelsea last season in favour of a move to Brighton and on this evidence he appears to be making the most of playing regular first-team football.
Lamptey impressed when starting in seven of the Seagulls’ nine Premier League matches when football resumed in June and he has picked up where he left off.
An early break down the right served notice of his pace and awareness and moments later he drew a clumsy foul from Saint-Maximin to help set Brighton on their way.
His energy and quality were a feature throughout the first half. After contributing to Brighton’s second, he twice almost added the third goal himself, with one break across the length of the pitch following a Newcastle corner particularly catching the eye.
His talent was not just restricted to going forward with one superbly timed challenge on Callum Wilson preventing the forward from having a clear run on goal.
Despite being withdrawn after 58 minutes, Lamptey made more interceptions (four) and won more fouls (four) than any other player on the pitch.
In Other News – Southampton 2 – 5 Tottenham
Son Heung-min scored four goals in a stunning display as Tottenham secured their first Premier League win of the season by coming from behind to thrash Southampton.
The South Korea international combined with Harry Kane for all four of his goals as Spurs took control after Danny Ings’ fine finish from a tight angle had given Southampton a first-half lead.
Son’s first came on the stroke of half-time when he raced on to Kane’s pass before driving across Alex McCarthy and into the back of the net. learn more
Source – BBC
