Newcastle face Brighton in an FA Cup fifth round tie at St. James’ Park today. The Magpies will hope to continue a second domestic cup journey with a win. Newcastle have a date at Wembley for the Carabao Cup finals against Liverpool in two weeks.
Newcastle are coming off a defeat at Anfield in mid-week. However, they were without star striker Alexander Isak who returns today along with midfielder Joelinton. Newcastle are close to being at full strength.
This is the team Eddie Howe has selected with quite a few changes.
Up for the cup! ? pic.twitter.com/YWanrAhEAn
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 2, 2025
Here is who Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has named. Yankuba Minteh gets the start at St. James’ Park.
TEAM NEWS! ? Here's our starting XI to face Newcastle in the FA Cup. ?? pic.twitter.com/SswW4NCp2Z
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) March 2, 2025
Howay The Lads!
863 comments so far
IrishRob
Mar 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Comment #1No.1
JohnJ
Mar 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Comment #2Look whose got a First Magic!
Erm second!
magicmac54
Mar 2, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Comment #3Strong team selection by Eddie today which is very pleasing indeed.
jimiley
Mar 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Comment #4Excellent team.
We can win this cup.
Lot of top teams gone.
Keep away from City in Manchester where we fold. Even Plymouth could give them a game there. City at Toon and we would win.
WLtoon
Mar 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Comment #5Im totally shocked at that team, what do i know eh lol
ChicoUSA
Mar 2, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Comment #6Damn it is early here! 4:55am. HWTL!!!
martoon
Mar 2, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Comment #7I’m not sure what the problem is with Hall?
catchy in norway
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Comment #8On paper, we look strong faves, but that is on paper 😉
JohnJ
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Comment #9That’s quite an interesting line up
Dubs,
Livramento – Schar – Burn – Trips
Tonali – Miley – Joelinton
Gordon – Isak – Barnes.
But who’s playing where at full back?
mctoon
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Comment #10Good freshened up team… Although the hindsighters will no doubt find fault if things go awry.
Hope whatever’s kept Hall out is only a minor niggle or illness…
Good to see big Joe and Isak back.
Just three games from a Wembley double…
HWTL
JohnJ
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Comment #11Martoon,
Is Hall being given a rest do you think?
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Comment #12Hall has an ankle injury but with six changes, no one won the bingo. In Eddie we trust!
magscar
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Comment #13As usual then Eddie springs a few surprises – interesting selection
Thought Krafft might have featured but I’m OK with selection
Anyone get that team?
JohnJ
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Comment #14Subs:-
Wilson, Pope, Target, Kraft, Osula, Murphy, Willock, Longstaff & Bruno.
IrishRob
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Comment #15It’s great to see a strong team because really there’s only City left in the competition who we cant beat on their patch.
Weird as it sounds that were not even in the quarter finals yet I think we have a far better chance of winning this cup as long as we avoid City until the final.
lochinvar
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Comment #16Eddie definitely reads the blog
Team selection shoes a change in mindset.
Best team with fit and inform players
Bruno a bit jaded of late so a rest no bad thing
Pope looked unfit.
HWTL
IrishRob
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Comment #17Good to see Bruno rested he’s been playing way way too much football over the past 2 months. The only player who’s been in the starting 11 every game when he’s fit. Which is practically all the time.
RUNAWAY777
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Comment #18Dub had to come back in as pope is going backwards since his injury, also it might just fire up barnes starting for a change,
Big Joe mighty just play half the game to get him fit for the cup final later this month come on the lads.
3..0
3..1
IrishRob
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Comment #19I’d bet my actual life Eddie has never read this blog in his life nevermind regularly. But players like Longstaff and Bruno etc 100% are on it
IrishRob
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Comment #20I reckon no matter how good or bad Pope plays he was never going to get the final. I think Dubs has earned it and it won’t be taken away from him. So im not too worried who plays in the Prem or FA cup. As long as Dubs in playing the final.
jimiley
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Comment #21Irish
Spot on.
Let’s beat Brighton and if we avoid City away, we have a better chance in the FA Cup.
Make us favs. We ain’t fav v Dippers
IITianToon
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Comment #22Tripps has to be at his best to deal with Mitoma — he will need help and cannot be left 1 on 1 like in the City game.
Here is what Gemini said about today’s game:
Brighton’s Potential Strategy:
Possession-Based Play:
Brighton is known for their possession-heavy, attacking style of football.
1 Expect them to try and control the tempo of the game. Â
With players like Mitoma and Rutter, they possess considerable attacking threat on the wings.
Fluid Movement:
Brighton’s tactical flexibility often involves fluid movement between their players. They will likely try to create overloads in midfield and attacking areas.
Attacking Fullbacks:
Players like Estupinan and Lamptey are known for their attacking runs. Expect them to provide width and contribute to the attack.
How Newcastle Can Counter:
High-Pressing and Interceptions:
Newcastle can disrupt Brighton’s possession-based play by employing a high-pressing strategy. Forcing turnovers in midfield can create counter-attacking opportunities.
Exploiting Transitional Play:
If Newcastle can effectively win the ball, they can exploit the space left behind by Brighton’s attacking fullbacks. Players like Gordon and Isak are well-suited for counter-attacks.
Defensive Discipline:
Newcastle’s defense will need to be well-organized and disciplined to contain Brighton’s fluid attacking movements. Paying close attention to Mitoma’s runs will be crucial.
Midfield Battles:
The midfield battle will be very important. Newcastle must disrupt the passing lanes of brighton, and win the midfield battles.
Set Pieces:
Set pieces could be a very important factor in this match. Newcastle have players that are very good in the air, so this could be a good avenue for them to score goals.
Key Factors:
The fitness of Alexander Isak will be a significant factor for Newcastle.
Brighton’s ability to maintain their possession-based style under pressure will be crucial.
The mid field battle between the two teams will be very important.
By combining these factors, we can get a good idea of the potential strategies that will be used in this game.
IITianToon
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Comment #23Aas far as set pieces go.. I have noticed we never try to attack the near post either for a direct attempt on goal or a flick on towards the back stick. We either put in the back post or do our short corner routine.
AncientC
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Comment #24Sending in the demolition crew… Isak, Barnes and Gordon.
No shortage of firepower there.
IrishRob
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Comment #25Hall ankle injury. Christ they are never short term are they. Salah was the big worry for the final. Now not only is he probably going to play against us for the final, we have no one who is able to defend against him either.
Disastrous 2 weeks before the final. Might just be the 2nd biggest injury blow outside of Isak, especially being it will be against Salah
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Comment #267/11 for me.
25 Minutes to KO.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Comment #27Gonna be a tough one, just hope Minteh has a mare!
Should have been in our team!!
IrishRob
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Comment #28Mintah will do fuk all. Completely over hyped by us
jimiley
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Comment #29Irish
Minteh do phook all.
That’s brave.
IrishRob
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Comment #30Sweet fook all..I guarantee it
check the toastie
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Comment #31Tonali is gunna be busy covering for Tripps and Schar. Pace down that right hand side is a worry.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Comment #32Hall has taken a fair few kicks off the opposition in the last week so he could do with a little rest just to be ready for the final
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Comment #33Big big game for Barnes it would make our team so much better if he could play with Gordon and Isak ability wise that would be deadly if it clicked
magicmac54
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Comment #34I must say the coverage and build-up to the match on ITV has been absolutely superb, if only we had the option of watching the Toon in a live match every weekend.
HWTL
A. Guess
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Comment #35A very strong team today, which is both surprising and pleasing. Personally I’d not have started Isak today, the league games and cup final are more important in my opinion.
Joelinton back is good news as I think we’ve missed his physicality in midfield without him.
Hall out could be a minor issue and EH isn’t prepared to risk him and he’s due a rest. Time for versatile Trippier to play.
HWTL
JaveaToon
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Comment #36HWTL
magicmac54
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Comment #37I meant if only we had the option of watching the Toon live on ITV every weekend.
AncientC
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Comment #38Minteh is fairly average from what I have seen.
I wouldn’t personally want the club to repurchase him; if Brighton offered him back to the club for the money Brighton paid.
Spellcheck
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Comment #39HWTL
Romford mag
Mar 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Comment #40HWTL