Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Newcastle United 0
England keeper Nick Pope made fabulous saves from Solly March, Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana to deny Albion all three points at the Amex this afternoon (Saturday 13 August).
Albion also had two chances that were just inches away from being over the line.
Last week’s hero Pascal Gross missed a late sitter after brilliant work by the super impressive Albion substitute Kaoru Mitoma who thrilled the Amex on his debut.
Albion pressed Newcastle from the start, with four corners inside the first 10 minutes.
March was having an excellent game and combining well with Gross. Lallana was in fine form and finding plenty of space in the opposition half.
Gross’s shot looked to have gone in but was deemed to have been just cleared away by Kieran Trippier.
Callum Wilson got the ball in the net for Newcastle but was adjudged to have had his foot too high.
Lallana and March drew excellent saves from Pope while Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin threatened Albion for a while.
Joelinton and March actually squared up over a throw in but the highlight was the performance of second-half substitute Mitoma who tricked and jinked his way though the Newcastle defence and set up great chances for Enock Mwepu and Alexis Mac Allister.
In the end, Albion appeared grateful for a draw.
They take on West Ham United at the London Stadium next weekend on Sunday 21 August.
