---
title: "‘Disrespect and tears’: Newcastle United fans react to 3-1 win over Brighton"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2026/05/02/newcastle-united-fans-react-brighton-win-football-soccer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Matthew Connelly"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2026-05-02T17:41:27Z"
modified: "2026-05-02T17:41:28Z"
---

# ‘Disrespect and tears’: Newcastle United fans react to 3-1 win over Brighton

**It was a first win in five for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, as a battling 3-1 victory over Brighton secured three points at St James’ Park.**

Many Magpies supporters were left unconvinced by the manager’s starting XI for the clash, with marquee signings Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa both still on the bench, alongside Lewis Hall. However, it proved that there was method to the madness.

Take a look at some of the fan reaction across social media in the wake of a massive victory.

## **Osula scores again**

[William Osula](https://readnewcastle.com/tag/william-osula/) once again found himself on the scoresheet, making it three goals in four starts for the Danish forward. Here’s what Newcastle fans had to say about his involvement today:

[@LewisBoden\_](https://x.com/@LewisBoden_) via X: “Disrespect and tears continue for Osula to make way for Woltemade, but Osula keeps scoring. Put some respect on his name.”

[@thomashammond\_](https://x.com/@thomashammond_) wrote: “Osula has done as well as he could. He may not have an abundance of quality, but he takes his chances. Very happy for him.”

[@jchaytor16](https://x.com/@jchaytor16) added: “Osula is so obviously going to explode next season, I cannot wait.”

> William Osula [https://t.co/aLwd2Eli3W](https://t.co/aLwd2Eli3W)
>
> — h (@htomufc) [May 2, 2026](https://twitter.com/htomufc/status/2050583681228497140?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## **Eddie Howe tactics divide opinion**

Despite the obvious importance of the win, the second-half display left a lot to be desired for the Magpies.

A nervy period for much of the latter 45 minutes did nothing to calm the Geordie faithful’s nerves, and social media hasn’t exactly been all sunshine and rainbows:

[@CoachMeron](https://x.com/@CoachMeron) wrote: “If Sean Dyche did what Eddie Howe has done in this second half, he’d be called a dinosaur. 5-4-1, can’t keep the ball, trying to hold onto a win.”

[@jchaytor16](https://x.com/@jchaytor16) said: “This shape suits us so much more, man. This might actually be the end of the 4-3-3, tears in my eyes.”

[@JohnSmithlaaaaa](https://x.com/@JohnSmithlaaaaa) wrote: “A win, yes, however this won’t do Eddie any favours – the second half was a disaster. Football gods with him today. Could’ve been a Brighton comeback another day. We have to finish strong, otherwise he is gone.”

> 😴 Eddie Howe also confirms he will sleep well tonight, having woken up with some anxiety through the middle of last night 😬[#NUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/YyVMPpuPSk](https://t.co/YyVMPpuPSk)
>
> — Daniel Wales (@danielwales023) [May 2, 2026](https://twitter.com/danielwales023/status/2050620865998377420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## **Nick Pope unconvincing again**

Despite some much-needed saves to deter Brighton, Nick Pope once again left a lot to be desired when it came to calming the nerves at St James’ Park.

His distribution and dallying on the ball led to a couple of hairy moments and have been a talking point across social media:

> I have never seen a goalkeeper performance like it before in my life, Nick Pope made crucial huge game changing saves but also was a bomb waiting to go off with decision making \
> \
> Newcastle got away with it time and time again against Brighton but a huge win for the club [#NUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/LTDDhcrcvZ](https://t.co/LTDDhcrcvZ)
>
> — Adam Pearson (YT) ⚫️⚪️ (@AdamP1242) [May 2, 2026](https://twitter.com/AdamP1242/status/2050622484827771381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

[@davidpick1987](https://x.com/@davidpick1987)said: “I’ll forgive goalkeepers’ mistakes, and Nick Pope has had a very good period here, but that’s got to be that. Four times he nearly gifted them a goal (outside of the one he did).

“Yes, he saved two or three good shots, but that is literally the expectation. He is very lucky others turned up today.”

[@WarBoyNUFC](https://x.com/@WarBoyNUFC) said: “This isn’t exaggerated. Pope makes us unable to control games, keep possession, or build from the back. We’re so easy to press. That’s on Howe.”

In other news, [Newcastle United Player Ratings: ‘Superb’ 9/10 and ‘metronome’ 8 as Brighton beaten](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/05/02/newcastle-united-player-ratings-brighton-football-02-05-2026/).