Newcastle United get their first win vs. Brighton, according to FIFA 19

Before the real match, FIFA 19 gives us a virtual preview to Newcastle United vs. Brighton and Hove Albion.

Newcastle United get back into action later today after the international break when they face Brighton and Hove Albion. Ahead of the kickoff from St. James’ Park, FIFA 19 gives us a simulated look at how the match might play out.

Brighton’s lineup was unchanged from their 1-0 win over West Ham. For the Magpies, the starting XI was a compilation of our staff predictions. That gave Rafa Benitez a lineup of Dubravka, Yedlin, Lascelles, Fernandez, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy, Muto.

The first action of the match was positive for Newcastle United. Ayoze Perez dribbled through the Brighton defense beautifully, but his pass to Yoshinori Muto was off the mark. The Spanish forward would make up for the miscue and more a few minutes later. A long, diagonal pass from Jonjo Shelvey found Ayoze and he took a touch before buying a goal into the top-right corner in the 10th minute.

After conceding early, the Seagulls controlled possession for the next fifteen minutes consistently, putting two shots on frame for Martin Dubravka to save easily.

Playing on the counter-attack, the Toon nearly doubled their lead. Kenedy placed a perfect cross at the foot on an onrushing Mohamed Diame. Unfortunately, as you can see below, the midfielder’s effort nearly left the stadium.

Dubravka would be tested one more time before the break, but the Slovakian shot-stopper made another routine save.

Ki replaced Diame shortly after halftime and almost paid immediate dividends, ringing the post with a powerful strike after Mathew Ryan got his fingertips on it. The ensuing corner saw Muto blast home a Matt Ritchie delivery for a 2-0 lead in the 50th minute.

With a two-goal advantage, Newcastle United continued to press for another goal, but they couldn’t find one. Their defense was able to limit Brighton’s comeback chances and the final scoreline held at 2-0. Brighton led the match in possession, but the Magpies had more shots, corners, and free kicks.