SHEFFIELD: Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey (C) celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.—Reuters
“You cannot give away a whole half against any team in the Premier League,” said Ljungberg. “We did not show up in the first half, we very passive, we didn’t move. We had chat at half-time, made a tactical change and all of a sudden we looked like the team we wanted to for 20 minutes.”
Webster put the visitors ahead in the 36th after Arsenal failed to clear the ball inside the box.
Ljungberg’s halftime talk seemed to have worked as Arsenal came out with a renewed sense of urgency, and Lacazette equalised with a looping header five minutes after the break.
Arsenal kept pushing forward and had spells of pressure, but instead it was Maupay who headed home the winner at the other end in the 80th minute.
Victory for Brighton takes them to within a point of Arsenal and four clear of the relegation zone.
“We had lots of quality and courage,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter, whose side enjoyed more possession and more shots on goal than the hosts. “The main stat is the scoreline. At the end it’s nice for the players and supporters that you get a reward for the way we are trying to play.”
Elsewhere, Newcastle taught Sheffield United a lesson in taking their chances as the Magpies won 2-0 at Bramall Lane despite enjoying just 27 percent possession.
Allan Saint-Maximin headed the visitors in front with his first goal for the club and Jonjo Shelvey secured the three points when he played on as the Blades defence stopped at the sight of the offside flag going up against Andy Carroll.
A VAR review showed Carroll was onside as he flicked the ball into Shelvey’s path.
“VAR is becoming too difficult for everyone. I don’t think anyone knows where they are with it,” said Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder. “The game has changed, it’s a new game. What we are having to deal with, we’re having to learn on the job. “
The win brings Newcastle level with Sheffield and Arsenal on 19 points in midtable.
Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2019