'Effective' Newcastle prove they have turned a corner under Eddie Howe with spirited Brighton win

You know a relentless tide of depression has been truly turned when your team are way out of tune yet go two goals up in the first quarter of an hour.

Then, having gifted the opposition a comeback goal through poor defending early second half, they are passed to death amid dripping tension yet win once again.

So it was for Newcastle and their merry Magpie followers. This when United have given away a shedful of points from winning positions this season and were playing their bogey side. In other words in times gone by United would have certainly lost a game they duly won.

Certainly when Steve Bruce brought nervous apprehension to black and white play and, yes, straight after Eddie Howe inherited a side in November that was winless throughout 11 games.

Brighton had never been defeated in nine previous PL meetings with United and incredibly boasted two victories and two draws on Tyneside. On any other day this would have been their 10th unbeaten but this Newcastle side is made of sterner stuff under new management and ownership.

The Seagulls were pretty but powderpuff. United outplayed but spirited and utterly determined. As a consequence United extended their undefeated run to eight matches, unbowed this calendar year, and serial points gatherers.

Dan Burn was big and proud at the heart of an overworked defence standing out like Grey's Monument, Joelinton grafted like an overgrown beaver in the midfield battleground, and Ryan Fraser added a goal and an assist to his usual workaholic traits.

Big Joe needed to display his battling qualities because where United's threesome have dominated in the middle of the park of late both Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock were off the pace. United had failed to score in all four of their