Rafael Benitez aggrieved with Tomer Hemed winner in Newcastle's defeat at Brighton
Sunday 24 September 2017 19:33, UK
Rafael Benitez was aggrieved with Tomer Hemed's winner as Newcastle's three-game winning streak came to an end at Brighton.
The Magpies pipped the Seagulls to the Sky Bet Championship title on the final day of last season but the hosts atoned with a 1-0 victory in the first Premier League encounter between the promoted sides.
But Benitez took offence with Hemed's strike, highlighting a collision which saw Chancel Mbemba go to ground before Dale Stephens set up the Israel international.
"The goal, for me, was a foul, it's a blocking in movement...he's pushing and blocking in movement," he told Sky Sports. "And it's so clear, but you cannot change the decision.
"I feel like we did enough to get a point at least. They had some chances, we had some chances.
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"We had a lot of control and chances at the end. I think we deserved more."
Newcastle played their part in an entertaining game at The Amex Stadium as they went in search of back-to-back Premier League away wins for the first time since November 2014.
But they were let down by their finishing as Joselu spurned two glorious chances and substitute Jonjo Shelvey struck the post from a corner.
The below-par attacking display promoted a rallying call from Benitez who challenged his side to work on their anxiety in the closing stages of games.
"The team at the end were pushing, we were close to the box," Benitez said.
"We had three or four situations around the box where we were dangerous - (Christian) Atsu mis-controlled the last one, Joselu in the first half, the 'keeper saving the corner from Shelvey - but we have to do this all the time, not just the last 20 minutes.
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"We tried to have a little more control on the ball (towards the end) and it was fine.
"We are a team without a lot of experience in the Premier League, we didn't play well with the anxiety at the end and we have to manage these situations a little bit better."
