logo
Newcastle v Brighton: FA Cup fifth round

Newcastle v Brighton: FA Cup fifth round

The Guardian02-03-2025
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
The teams enter the field on 'cathedral on the hill' (please don't leave it, Newcastle, we need our great urban central football grounds). Share
Some pre-match chat from the gaffers:
Eddie Howe tells ITV the tie is 'an opportunity for those players coming in. We've got a good squad and I try to use it and pick a team that's really strong. I like the look of the team pre-game, and it's a big opportunity for those coming in.' Of Isak, he adds: 'He's in. He's fully fit, he's recovered, and we're delighted he's back. He's been a pivotal figure for us, he's led the line really well and scored a number of goals. We're delighted he's ready for the game.' Though the Newcastle manager cautions that his side must defend better than they have in recent games.
Fabian Hurzeler says: 'When less top clubs are in the tournament, the chance is bigger. On the other side, we all know that the cups, they always have their own laws, their own rules, so you don't know what will come next. This Cup tournament already proved it this season so far. There's been a lot of crazy results.' Share
'Hi Tom.' Hi Paul O'Neill. 'Given that the Magpies are playing the Seagulls, I wondered whether the reference to 'the clubs' pecking order' in the preamble was a deliberate pun.' Heh, I truly don't know my own strength. 'And - this might be beyond your remit, to be fair - whether the whole notion of the pecking order applies to all types of bird, or just chickens.'
Good question. How do actual pecking orders work? One of those oft-unanswered questions, like what actually happens 'after the Lord Mayor's Show', or 'Is Dr Hook a medical doctor?' Share
On other channels … Emillia Hawkins is on top of today's Women's Super League action, with Manchester United zipping into a two-goal lead against Leicester. Dip in here: Share
'I completely agree with you that this season's FA Cup is wide open,' writes Rick Harris, jinxing us towards another Manchester derby final. 'Manchester City made hard work of getting past Plymouth yesterday and may have their typical luck of the draw again and get Preston at home, but I wouldn't see them as favourites as Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and even Manchester United would fancy their chances against the PL champions. Eddie Howe is clearly taking this game very seriously with his team selection and Brighton too have to see this competition as there for the taking.'
Yup, am excited by both those lineups. Share
They line up thusly, and Isak plays in a strong-looking home starting XI:
Newcastle: Dubravka; Livramento, Schär, Burn, Trippier, Miley, Tonali, Joelinton, Barnes, Isak, Gordon. Subs: Pope, Wilson, Targett, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Willock, Longstaff, Guimaraes.
Brighton: Verbruggen, Lamptey, van Hecke, Webster, Estupiñán, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma, João Pedro. Subs: Thomas McGill, March, Gruda, Adingra, Cashin, Gomez, Ayari, Wieffer, Welbeck.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire) Share
Afternoon everyone. And welcome to MBM coverage from the sixth of the eight FA Cup ties sprawled over a long weekend. As I argued when talking about Bournemouth the other day, there has rarely been such an opportunity for one of the Premier League's mid-ranking and not-quite-elite clubs to claim the Cup this season. Though whether Newcastle are ready to seize it is moot. Eddie Howe's side have a League Cup final looming in a fortnight against a Liverpool side that schooled them in midweek, and the Toon's FA Cup record in the 70 years since they last won it has not been a thing of glory. They need to be careful with injuries too and Alexander Isak, a Premier League player of the season contender, may not be risked today having sat out the trip to Anfield with groin knack. We'll find out shortly.
Brighton, by contrast, have a presentable recent record in the Cup, beaten semi-finallists twice in the past six years and enjoying an upturn in form that has them eyeing both the League and the Cup route to a Europa League place next term. They should be contemplating, in the words of the song, going up to win the Cup for Sussex by the sea.
Wherever this tie figures in the clubs' pecking order, both in their different ways have shown themselves capable of engrossing football in recent weeks so have it in them to lay on a proper Cup tie this afternoon. Let's have it.
Kick-off: 1.45pm GMT. Share
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Alexander Isak's hopes of Liverpool move take a hit with Man United leading race for potential Newcastle replacement Benjamin Sesko
Alexander Isak's hopes of Liverpool move take a hit with Man United leading race for potential Newcastle replacement Benjamin Sesko

Daily Mail​

time25 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Alexander Isak's hopes of Liverpool move take a hit with Man United leading race for potential Newcastle replacement Benjamin Sesko

Alexander Isak's hopes of forcing a move to Liverpool may have taken a hit with Newcastle fearing they have lost out on top target Benjamin Sesko. The Magpies remain in the race for the RB Leipzig striker but, with Manchester United also pursuing the Slovenian, there is a feeling internally that their chances of landing him have faded. If so, that would impact significantly on 'the decision' Eddie Howe says Newcastle have to make on Isak's future. The Swede has ruled himself out of the club's Far East tour with a thigh injury, even though subsequent scans showed no damage. He wants to join Liverpool, who are working on a bid. However, Newcastle would only contemplate a sale if it was 'right for the club' - as Howe has stated repeatedly - and that would mean having replacements with at least one foot in the door. If they miss out on Sesko, an alternative will have to be identified before an exit for Isak would be considered. Deals are active for both Seiko and Brentford's Yoane Wissa, and we can reveal that Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz has been added to the shortlist in recent days. Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins is another option, especially if Sesko chooses Man United. Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock suffered an injury scare during Wednesday night's 1-0 defeat by the K-League All Stars here in South Korea. He was stretchered off late in the game and more news is awaited, although team-mates were suggesting as they left the stadium that the ankle issue is not as bad as first feared.

Striker Benjamin Sesko could be the next arrival at Manchester United
Striker Benjamin Sesko could be the next arrival at Manchester United

Powys County Times

time44 minutes ago

  • Powys County Times

Striker Benjamin Sesko could be the next arrival at Manchester United

Manchester United are pursuing a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, the PA news agency understands. Ruben Amorim's Red Devils are in the midst of a rebuild having stumbled home 15th in the Premier League and lost May's all-or-nothing Europa League final to Tottenham. United's misfiring frontline was a major issue last term and the club are looking to sign a striker this summer, with Sesko in their sights ahead of the new season. The Slovenia international, 22, has long been on the club's radar and is also a target of Newcastle, who missed out on Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and have an unsettled star in Alexander Isak. United also like Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, but Sesko – who could reportedly be available for in the region of £70million – is understood to be their current priority. Amorim's side had looked at Liam Delap earlier in the summer, only for the Ipswich striker to favour a move to Chelsea. The Red Devils are currently in the United States taking part in the Premier League Summer Series having so far made two key summer acquisitions. Matheus Cunha joined from Wolves in a £62.5million deal last month, with Bryan Mbeumo last week following in a move that could cost up to £71million after protracted negotiations with Brentford. Teenage wing-back Diego Leon has also linked up with United after a deal was struck with Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno in January. In terms of exits, Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent switch. United are still trying to shift Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, while Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and now retired Jonny Evans left at the end of their contracts.

Striker Benjamin Sesko could be the next arrival at Manchester United
Striker Benjamin Sesko could be the next arrival at Manchester United

The Independent

timean hour ago

  • The Independent

Striker Benjamin Sesko could be the next arrival at Manchester United

Manchester United are pursuing a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, the PA news agency understands. Ruben Amorim's Red Devils are in the midst of a rebuild having stumbled home 15th in the Premier League and lost May's all-or-nothing Europa League final to Tottenham. United's misfiring frontline was a major issue last term and the club are looking to sign a striker this summer, with Sesko in their sights ahead of the new season. The Slovenia international, 22, has long been on the club's radar and is also a target of Newcastle, who missed out on Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and have an unsettled star in Alexander Isak. United also like Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, but Sesko – who could reportedly be available for in the region of £70million – is understood to be their current priority. Amorim's side had looked at Liam Delap earlier in the summer, only for the Ipswich striker to favour a move to Chelsea. The Red Devils are currently in the United States taking part in the Premier League Summer Series having so far made two key summer acquisitions. Matheus Cunha joined from Wolves in a £62.5million deal last month, with Bryan Mbeumo last week following in a move that could cost up to £71million after protracted negotiations with Brentford. Teenage wing-back Diego Leon has also linked up with United after a deal was struck with Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno in January. In terms of exits, Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent switch. United are still trying to shift Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, while Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and now retired Jonny Evans left at the end of their contracts.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store