Eddie Howe unhappy with Yankuba Minteh during Newcastle’s draw with Brighton – journalist
The Amex Stadium became the stage for an awkward reunion between Eddie Howe and Yankuba Minteh on Sunday, with the Brighton winger’s influential performance against his former club exposing the harsh realities of modern football’s financial constraints.
Minteh, the Gambian forward Newcastle reluctantly sold last summer to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules, delivered another painful reminder of his quality – scoring Brighton’s opener and drawing Howe’s ire with a robust first-half challenge on Tino Livramento.
Howe’s visible displeasure during the match stemmed from more than just Minteh’s 34th-minute goal. The Newcastle boss took particular exception to a heavy tackle on Livramento that left the full-back requiring treatment, though referee Craig Pawson deemed the challenge only worthy of a free-kick.
This physical approach set the tone for Minteh’s afternoon, with the 20-year-old frequently targeting Livramento before cutting inside to curl Brighton ahead with a deflected strike.
The irony wasn’t lost on anyone at the Amex. Minteh, who never made a first-team appearance for Newcastle despite being highly rated by the coaching staff, has now scored against his former employers twice this season – following up his FA Cup strike at St James’ Park with another crucial contribution.
His seven-goal haul for Brighton this campaign, including five in the Premier League, underscores the talent Newcastle were forced to sacrifice.
Howe’s post-match comments revealed the lingering frustration about Minteh’s departure. “In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have sold him,” the Newcastle manager admitted, referencing the financial realities that necessitated both Minteh and Elliot Anderson’s sales last summer.
The Gambian’s development under Roberto De Zerbi has been rapid, with his direct running and improved decision-making causing problems for defenses across the league.
Statistically, Minteh’s debut Premier League season compares favorably with Newcastle’s current wide options. His seven goals and five assists in 34 appearances eclipse the output of several established top-flight wingers, while his ability to play on either flank would have provided valuable depth behind Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon.
The celebration that followed his goal – initially misinterpreted as provocative before being clarified as acknowledgment of his current employers – only added to the narrative of a player proving his former club wrong.
For Newcastle, Minteh’s emergence represents more than just a missed opportunity. It highlights the difficult balancing act facing clubs operating within financial constraints, where promising assets sometimes become sacrificial lambs to enable broader squad development.
The £33 million received for Minteh helped fund summer signings, but his subsequent performances raise legitimate questions about whether short-term financial compliance came at the expense of long-term sporting potential.
Howe’s reaction to Minteh’s challenge on Livramento perhaps betrayed deeper frustrations – not just at an aggressive tackle in the heat of battle, but at the broader situation that put a player Newcastle nurtured in position to hurt them.
As the Magpies push for European qualification, being haunted by former prospects represents an uncomfortable subplot to their season. Minteh’s development into a genuine Premier League threat serves as both a compliment to Newcastle’s recruitment team and a sobering reminder of the compromises forced upon them by financial regulations.
The lasting image of Minteh tormenting Livramento before curling past Nick Pope will linger in the memory, symbolizing the complex realities of modern club management.
For Howe, it’s a scenario he’ll hope doesn’t repeat itself anytime soon – though with Financial Fair Play constraints showing no signs of loosening, Newcastle may face more painful farewells before their ambitious project reaches full fruition.