Like the Swiss flag, Allan Saint Maximin has been a big plus for Newcastle. He is clobbered by Lewis Dunk, no prisoners there and a booking for the Brighton captain. Plus a free-kick in a dangerous area again.

A rare shot on target for the visitors, just their second in fact, as Brighton sub Yves Bissouma gets one away from 20 yards and Martin Dubravka has to get down sharply to save.

Andy Carroll then wins a free-kick for Newcastle in a good area.

Andy Carroll's arrival has ramped up the noise inside the ground as he links up well with Allan Saint-Maximin, who shoots low and hard but straight at Mat Ryan.

Image source, Getty Images

A hero's response for Andy Carroll coming on for his first Newcastle appearance since December 2010.

Is the script written?

Image source, Reuters

Jonathan Brown: Have a feeling Man City have scored more today than Joelinton will manage all season.

Kyle: This has been awful from Newcastle. No disrespect to Brighton but they shouldn't be getting 74 percent of possession. Shocking performance so far from Newcastle.

I know we said that the attendance was pretty low but rest assured it's not 14,000 inside St James' Park as it said on our page for a while...

Please read attendance as 41,360...

Newcastle sub Allan Saint-Maximin has made a difference since coming on. Nice and direct. He takes his man on and puts in a low cross which is well claimed by Mat Ryan.

We are 10 minutes away from a 0-0 that nobody wants.

Image source, PA Media

Ben, Durham: For all you other fans watching this game, you're seeing a performance once in a few weeks whenever the Toon are on TV. Most of us real fans don't expect a Keegan-esque title charge or a Sir Bobby Champions League run, we just demand a team that tries. Ashley's chronic mismanagement has tore our beloved team apart.

Is that a penalty?! It's all going on.

Steven Alzate runs into the box, geos down as Martin Dubravka slides out...nothing given.

They go to VAR and that's a man looking for a penalty if ever you've seen one. Went down early. No booking though!

So close!

Brighton sub Aaron Connolly flicks the ball over Martin Dubravka, and Fabian Schar somehow clears it off the line! Was that over? No signal from the officials.

Wow that was close. Newcastle then counter from the chance and Joelinton has a shot charged down.

Image source, Reuters

Steve Bruce makes a double change but doesn't send on Andy Carroll. I mean...

Ki and Allan Saint-Maximin are on, Jonjo Shelvey and Miguel Almiron come off...

Image source, PA Media

Fabian Schar is Newcastle's best attacker isn't he? He charges upfield and blasts over.

Jonjo Shelvey loses the ball in midfield and Brighton come away at pace. Aaron Mooy is forced inside and finds Davy Propper, whose lob wedge into the area is a brilliant pass, Neal Maupay swivels on it and fires over!

Decent chance.

Brighton then send on Aaron Connolly for Mooy.

Nico Lennon: ️Newcastle still struggling to keep the ball, little progress after 24% possession in first half. Have been impressed with Jetro Willems on the ball though, only composed Newcastle player on the pitch.

Mark Taylor: Brighton fans remind me of England cricket fans. Glass half empty, your team are playing well, the goals will come. Just think you could be Toon fans, glass always empty.

Dale Stephens ends another Brighton monologue with an errant shot from range. The Seagulls have had 73% of possession now but have just one shot on target to show for it.

The cameras pan to Glenn Murray on the bench.

Jonjo Shelvey is urged to shoot from a mile out, does so and hits the target too. Mat Ryan paws it clear. The fans are up now!

Image source, Getty Images

Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator

I've never seen so many empty seats at St James' Park. Perhaps today is the day that protests against Mike Ashley begin to take hold.

Those fans who have decided to stay away are shrewd judges.

Newcastle have an attack! It's all Miguel Almiron's own work too as he skips clear of a challenge on halfway, drives to the edge of the area and get a shot off but it's a routine enough save for Mat Ryan.

The increase in volume is massive though. That's all Newcastle fans wanted to see.

Image source, Reuters

Dale Stephens has a cracking shot from range but it hits his own team-mate. This is a wall of Brighton pressure...

Liam, Hove: Brighton dominate possession but they rarely convert it into goals. Bring Murray on?!

Dan: The Seagulls will do what we always do, play well and get undone by one opposition attack then lose 1-0...