Ian Wright was highly critical of Tino Livramento’s defensive positioning in the decisive moment that led to Brighton’s dramatic FA Cup victory over Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s team initially took the lead when Alexander Isak converted a penalty, but their advantage was short-lived as former Newcastle winger Yanhuba Minteh equalized for Brighton.
As the game neared its conclusion, chaos erupted. Anthony Gordon and Tariq Lamptey were both shown red cards in quick succession, reducing both sides to ten men. Newcastle thought they had snatched a dramatic late winner when Fabian Schar found the net in the 93rd minute. However, VAR intervened, ruling the goal out for a narrow offside, much to the frustration of the home side.
That moment of disappointment proved costly as Brighton made the most of their opportunity in added time. Danny Welbeck exploited space inside the box and finished clinically past Martin Dubravka, securing a 2-1 win and Brighton’s place in the quarter-finals. While Newcastle players appealed for offside, Livramento’s positioning allowed Welbeck to remain onside, ultimately sealing Newcastle’s fate.
Wright did not hold back in his post-match analysis, pointing out Livramento’s failure to step up at the crucial moment. “Welbeck had to stretch for that, but look at Livramento—he’s too deep and far behind Matt Target,” Wright analyzed on ITV, highlighting the defender’s lapse in concentration.
He further emphasized the importance of discipline, especially in knockout football, where one mistake can be costly. “It’s not just about not losing possession. Defenders need to stay alert. Livramento didn’t even attempt to push up,” he added, making it clear that the young full-back had been caught napping at a critical moment.
The goal demonstrated Livramento’s lack of awareness, particularly in contrast to Matt Target’s positioning, which had forced Welbeck into a difficult angle. However, because Livramento failed to step up, the Brighton forward had a much easier route to goal, ultimately punishing Newcastle’s defensive error.
Roy Keane also weighed in, shifting focus to Martin Dubravka’s questionable decision-making in the lead-up to the goal. The former Manchester United captain criticized the goalkeeper for overcomplicating things instead of opting for a simple clearance. “Just put your foot through it. He tries to be too clever, and Brighton took full advantage,” Keane remarked.
Keane also highlighted the contrasting impact of the substitutes, praising Brighton’s bench players while criticizing Newcastle’s lack of urgency. He singled out Welbeck’s hunger and enthusiasm at 34 years old while questioning Newcastle’s replacements, who, in his words, played “as if it was a chore.”