Brighton 1 Newcastle 1

This dreadful match was a rude awakening for the Seagulls after their impressive draw at Anfield last week.

We started well but it took VAR to make the referee David Coote after 24 minutes reconsider the challenge on Leo Trossard by Kieran Clark and award a penalty which Trossard converted  to give Brighton the lead.

Against an unimpressive Newcastle side I thought we would add more but the fact that we have scored the same amount of goals (six) as Newcastle despite being at different ends of the Premiership says it all.

Newcastle rallied in the second half and I had that uncomfortable feeling they would equalise.

This they duly did when a deep cross from Matt Ritchie was knocked back in the box for Hayden to score.

A supporter friend blamed Roberto Sanchez for not meeting the cross. The most exciting spell came in the last seven minutes.

Callum Wilson dribbled past Sanchez and fell and – although the referee once again saw nothing – VAR did and Sanchez was red-carded.

We then had a sight that nowadays you do not see too often: Brighton had used up all their subs so Lewis Dunk had to don the yellow jersey.

Strangely Newcastle put him under no pressure in the remaining minutes.

This is a poor Newcastle team undeserving of the loyal and considerable support taking up one whole end.

Maybe Eddie Howe, sitting next to Amanda Staveley, can improve them but it’s going to take a whole makeover.

As for Brighton, unless we can get a goal scorer I can see a descent into mid-table.

In congratulating Alan Tanner after the game for Fulham’s win at Peterborough, I wondered if we should not have bought Alex Mitrovic.

Alan reminded me of a conversation five seasons ago when Brighton won promotion but lost to Newcastle after another deep Ritchie cross foxed our defence.

On the bench that night for Newcastle was Alex Mitrovic.

Mitrovic scored his 19th of the season but, as Alan said on past form there is no evidence he can score in the Premiership.