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Yankuba Minteh explains after confusing fans with his goal celebration against Newcastle

Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh explains after confusing fans with his goal celebration against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Yankuba Minteh, a former Newcastle United player sold to Brighton for £33 million to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), scored against the Magpies in a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.

His celebration sparked mixed reactions. Initially, Minteh appeared to seek forgiveness from Newcastle fans by clapping apologetically toward the away end, as he had done previously after scoring against Newcastle in an FA Cup match.

However, he then pointed to the Brighton crest and the Amex turf, which some interpreted as a provocative gesture.

An object or two was thrown from the away end at Minteh before Matt O’Riley looked to push him away, with others teammates doing the same including Lewis Dunk.

A source close to Minteh clarified to Chronicle Live that he was simply acknowledging that Brighton now pays his wages, not disrespecting Newcastle, a club he respects despite never playing a competitive match for them.

Lee Ryder tweeted: “Minteh scores against his old club. And celebrates wildly. He was also pointing to the club crest. #nufc a goal down here.”

The source told Chronicle Live: “He has a history with Newcastle and he respects the club very much even though he never had a match with them.”

Minteh said to BBC Radio Sussex: post-match  “I was happy with the goal because this is what I dream of every time.

“If I don’t score in a game, to make a pass.

“It’s an amazing feeling. Everybody wants to prove the team which sell them and I try to do that every time I play against them. I am happy about it.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who was disappointed to see Minteh go last June, said: “It’s the second time he has done it to us this season.

“To a degree you always know that is a potential worry for you when you go into the game, just because of his qualities.

“We knew all about his left foot, we have worked on that.

“Sometimes you can work on it and still come to harm with it.

“We are disappointed with the goal, we should have done better.

“Generally, though, I thought the team defended very strongly.”

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s probably a good point for us, even though we came here to win. Our final pass and cross probably wasn’t at its finest level. We were very disappointed with how we conceded. We did enough to warrant a point, if not more. I thought we were the team trying to win the game. Brighton are a difficult team to stop. We chased the game with intelligence and ultimately got our reward.”

On Alexander Isak taking the third penalty after two previous ones were disallowed: “There was quite a long wait before the third penalty was called and I thought the third one was a stonewall penalty. I think that’s what VAR is there for.”

On whether the whistle blew too soon: “Possibly, we were chasing, desperately trying to win. We were going for it which I think we have to in our position and I’m proud of how we fought back in the game.”

On being confident of securing the final Champions League place: “It’s all to play for. We have three huge games, three very tough games in different ways. Two of them are at home and we hope that can make the difference.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to MOTD: “That’s what VAR is there for (the penalty). I’m happy for VAR to make those calls. I thought the third one was a stonewall but we got there is the end.

“I’ve no major criticism other than maybe we were not creative enough and not at our clinical best in front of goal.

“When you’re 1-0 down you have to be grateful for the point. We’re certainly stronger with it than without it.”

On the prospect the race for the Champions League will go down to the final weekend of the season: “I felt that months back. We’ve got top quality teams fighting for a massive prize. We just hope we’re in there.”

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to Sky Sports: “I have a mixture of feelings. I’m proud of the team for sticking together but it was not our perfect match in possession. Overall there is a mixture of feelings but we try to take the positives away.

“We conceded a cheap penalty. We have to accept it and try to make the best out of it. I saw a good team performance although we made some easy mistakes and we weren’t able to control the game like we wanted to.”

Hurzeler said that Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma will play for Brighton before the end of the season.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “There were too many mistakes and then we conceded a very cheap penalty which was a late on in the game. Last time we had a great comeback against West Ham last time but this week was also possible but football is was not on our side so we have to make the best of it.”

On whether the football is on an upward trajectory: “Absolutely. A good team performance, although we made some easy mistakes. We were not able to control the game like we wanted to but overall it was a good team performance, we stuck together and supported each other and then we have a chance to win games.”

Twitter users reacted before Yankuba Minteh explains after confusing fans with his goal celebration against Newcastle…

@HLTCO: Does he go from respectful to “fuck it, have that!” halfway through this celebration? 😂

@agbnufc_: Never seen a respect and disrespect celebration in the same motion before.

@JakeAGriff: Brighton fans should be fuming about that celebration. What an absolute embarrassment.

@ChirpsByJames: Anyone any idea what he’s trying to say?

@_connor_01: Might be in the minority but fair fucking play to the lad.

@44DMP: This is skin-crawlingly cringe. Wtf is he doing ffs

@WeahsCousin: One of the most bizarre goal celebrations I’ve ever seen

@kieransg1: Genuinely the most confusing celebration ive ever seen btw I cant tell if he was being respectful or not 😭

@Hunty_S92: Nah I’m sorry. He should have his contract RIPPED up 😂

@RHDmusic: This celebration goes on for way too long

@rfcryan1995: Not celebrating against a team that you played *checks notes* ZERO games for is a whole new level of utter woke nonsense

@Callum_Boyle_: Players who celebrate like this against their former club should be banned immediately

@BENditlikeLAKE: Greatest respect/disrespect celebration we’ll ever see

@olliehayes_: This bloke does the strangest celebrations. Will never forget him kissing the Brighton badge and giving the Lower Gwladys loads because we were interested in him in the summer 🤣

@FraserWason95: Still trying to work out if this is a respect or disrespect celebration

@TalkCPFC: This would be massively OTT even if he was a Newcastle legend, he literally played 0 games for them hahahaha

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