The Magpies, 120, would normally have been considered favourites against the Seagulls, while their divisional superiority could arguably qualify their 2-0 reversal as a ‘shock’ or an ‘upset’.
However, Alan Pardew’s shabbily strung together outfit demonstrated in no uncertain terms at the Falmer Stadium that Newcastle are, after a season of relative achievement/hopes-building, back to their comedy best – and it has been confirmed that not a single person was shocked by the result, although many struggled with some of the hairstyles on show.
Steve, a Newcastle fan, said: “Shocked? Nay, man. I don’t think anyone’s shocked, like.
“I’m certainly very upset by it though. Is that what constitutes a cup upset? Is one stricken by cup upset as one would be by an ailment or hang over?
“Can it get me off work? That’s what I want to know. Did you see the news, what that politician said? Now that was shocking.”
Meanwhile, Pardew described the performance of striker Shola Ameobi as “terrific”.
He said: “I thought Shola was terrific.”
He added: “Eeeerrr…we was tired.”