Eddie Howe admits Newcastle lucky to earn ‘valuable’ point at Brighton

BRIGHTON: Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has admitted the Magpies rode their luck in their draw at Brighton - although he was pleased to get another Premier League point on the board.

The Magpies were lucky to play out a 0-0 draw on the south coast of England with Graham Potter's Seagulls dominating the Magpies as both sides continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

It was a far from vintage show by Howe's players, but the United chief admits he was pleased with the spirit shown by the dressing room to grind out a positive, if arguably undeserved, share of the spoils.

“I am always disappointed not to win but very pleased with a point in the end, especially after the second-half,” he said.

“I thought it was a difficult second-half, Brighton played very well. We rode our luck at times but dug in and showed a great spirit and unity.

“We got a valuable point.”

Former Seagulls defender Dan Burn, as well as United keeper Nick Pope, were the stand out performers for the Magpies - and both had to be at their very best to keep Potter's men at bay.

And while Pope was brought in to produce the kind of saves he did at the Amex Stadium, Burn was not added to the group to play left back, which he did at Brighton.

“I thought Dan did great today,” said Howe.

“It was very difficult. Although it’s a small transition across the pitch, it’s a huge one at the same time. He hadn’t played left-back for a long time but I thought he did very well against his former team.

“He put in one crucial block that saved us at a key time in the game.

“Overall, very pleased with his performance and his attitude to doing that position.”

Pope made three or four top class saves to deny Brighton three points on the day