Newcastle 3-1 Brighton: William Osula project pays off as strike helps ease pressure on Eddie Howe

There are sure to be further opportunities in the final weeks of the campaign before a busy summer gets under way.

This week’s summit was as much about plotting the future as it was analysing the team’s recent form.

Recruitment plans and infrastructure projects were discussed, and an announcement is expected down the line regarding plans for a new state-of-the-art training ground following a major capital investment.

It was just a few days ago Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed it is to withdraw its multi-billion dollar backing of LIV Golf at the end of the season.

But Al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor, underlined his commitment to the squad in the dressing room after Saturday’s win.

He will fly out of Tyneside knowing these players are very much still fighting for Howe.

In fact, after substitute Harvey Barnes sealed the victory against Brighton in stoppage time, Burn made a beeline for Howe and assistants Tindall and Jones to hug them.

“A lot of the responsibility falls on us,” Burn told BBC Final Score. “The gaffer has taken a lot of stick, but that was for him today.”