The Media Review: Minteh fluke flattens Black Cats

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Albion made it three wins from four with victory against the Black Cats.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-03-15T13:00+00:00

Yankuba Minteh's goal ensured we came away with all three points from Sunderland. 📸 by James Boardman.

A fluke, a miscue, 'scuffed', a mis-hit, ‘fortuitous’ – the sporting media found various ways of describing Yankuba Minteh’s goal at the Stadium of Light.

But the writers all agreed that Albion were worth their first victory at Sunderland since Gary Williams hit a vital late winner at Roker Park in April 1981.

A number of outlets used Rebecca Johnson’s report for the Press Association. She wrote that “an end-to-end first half saw both teams have great opportunities in the opening moments, with Jack Hinshelwood superbly denied by Melker Ellborg and Lewis Dunk making a goalline stop from Chemsdine Talbi.

“Chris Rigg had a goal ruled out for offside early in the second half and Brighton took the lead in the 58th minute when a corner was quickly recycled and Minteh, formerly on the books of Sunderland’s rivals Newcastle, squeezed an attempt from a tight angle in at the near post.

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Seagulls fly high over the Stadium of Light as Fabian Hurzeler’s side beat the Black Cats 1-0. Yankuba Minteh's 58th-minute strike was enough to take all three points. Club photographer James Boardman captured the action.

“The Seagulls held on to return to winning ways in the Premier League following defeat to Arsenal last week and have now reached 40 points, while Sunderland slip to a third straight loss at home.”

Gary Stonehouse also noted Minteh’s Newcastle connection in The Sun on Sunday, writing that “former Mag Yankuba Minteh took the wind right out of Sunderland’s sails ahead of next week’s Tyne-Wear derby.

“A total fluke from the Gambian, reluctantly sold by Newcastle to Brighton in 2024 in a scramble to meet PSR requirements, condemned them to a third straight home loss.

“Though things could have been much different if Brighton’s captain marvel had not been alert from the off on his 500th start for the club.

Lewis Dunk made his 500th Albion start in the win at Sunderland. 📸 by James Boardman.

“Chemsdine Talbi unleashed a thumping half-volley past visiting ‘keeper Bart Verbruggen, but the 34-year-old was in the right place to block on the line to deny the hosts an early breakthrough.

“The Seagulls’ leader was one of four players selected that were older than boss Fabian Hurzeler.

“And his golden oldies Dunk, Danny Welbeck, James Milner and Pascal Gross may just get another chapter to add to their illustrious careers after reigniting hopes of a late push for Europe.

“But they may need young gun Jack Hinshelwood to find his shooting boots to achieve that. The midfielder, 20, had two golden opportunities either side of Dunk’s heroics on the line to break the deadlock.

2750 Albion fans made the trip up to the Stadium of Light. A fantastic effort. 📸 by James Boardman.

“Minteh whizzed round his man to whip in a low cross straight into the unmarked star six yards out. Sunderland stopper Melker Ellborg was already diving the wrong way, but somehow he managed to stick out a leg to knock it wide.

“Hinshelwood had his head in his hands again when ex-Black Cats loanee Welbeck broke clear, pulled it back for him again unmarked, only this time he fired straight down Ellborg’s throat.

“But Sunderland heads were spinning just before the hour mark. Habib Diarra went down after a slight push from Dunk. The Black Cats only half-cleared a corner as referee Thomas Kirk waved play on.

“Brighton recycled possession, eventually finding Minteh out right, and he skipped past Xhaka easily before completely mis-hitting his cross from the byline inside Ellborg’s near post.”

Yankuba Minteh was very honest in his post match interviews, admitting that he had no intention of finding the back of the net with his cross. 📸 by James Boardman.

Louise Taylor was more appreciative of Hinshelwood’s efforts on The Guardian website. “With Robin Roefs still hamstrung, Melker Ellborg made his home debut for Sunderland. The former Malmö goalkeeper soon showed off some impressive potential by stretching out a leg to make a fine save to deny Jack Hinshelwood.

“No Brighton player would ruffle Sunderland’s defence more than Hinshelwood as he asked all sorts of awkward questions from the No 10 role behind Danny Welbeck. Hinshelwood’s only problem was that when Welbeck cued him up for a second scoring opportunity he wasted it by shooting straight at Ellborg. Welbeck, meanwhile, is remembered with affection here after impressing for Sunderland during a loan stint from Manchester United in 2010-11.”

In The Sunday Times, Martin Hardy examined Minteh’s time on Newcastle’s books more closely. “Could the Brighton match winner be described as a former Newcastle star?" he wrote. "Minteh, whose scruffy mis-hit cross moved Brighton above Sunderland in the table and characterised the game pretty accurately, never kicked a ball at any level for Newcastle. His transfer to the Amex in 2024, however, saved Sunderland’s big rivals from a ten-point deduction for breaking Profit and Sustainability rules.

“He refused to celebrate excessively when he scored against Newcastle last season. This time, though, was very different. He celebrated, all right. At full time he led the cheers in front of a large and delighted travelling support. He had a huge tracksuit on by then, having been withdrawn after risking a second yellow card for a foul on Chris Rigg.”

These Seagulls weren't included in the 2750 count of away supporters. 📸 by James Boardman.

Sam Drury took a different angle on the Albion winger on the BBC Sport website, “Having spent the vast majority of his Brighton career playing on the right wing, Minteh was tasked with filling in on the left in Kaoru Mitoma's absence.

“While his goal came from that more familiar side - albeit in unusual circumstances - the 21-year-old had already made quite an impression in the game. After a drab opening, it was his pinpoint cross that should have been converted by Hinshelwood.

“A left-footer playing on the left is something of a throwback, but Minteh showed it still has its benefits as he was able to beat his man on the outside and put a number of dangerous balls into the box.

“Having wriggled his way past Xhaka to somewhat fortuitously score his second league goal of the season - and first since September - the former Newcastle player also created their best chance to double the lead.

“Another cross from the left found Mats Wieffer, who laid it off to Gomez but the winger blazed over the bar. Minteh's afternoon came to an abrupt end, though, when he was substituted 14 minutes from time after getting himself booked and risking a second with a foul moments later.

“His work was done, though, and Brighton will hope the talented winger can kick on as they try to maintain their fine recent form.”

#brightonandhovealbion #sunderland #minteh #premierleague Extended action from the Stadium of Light as Sunderland and Brighton meet for the first time in 20 years on Wearside. Highlights in partnership with @mpbcom. Buy, sell and trade used camera gear. https://bit.ly/MPB457