Yankuba Minteh has done it again against Newcastle United.
The 20-year-old has played against Newcastle United twice and has scored two goals.
After finding the net in the FA Cup win at St James’ Park in March, Yankuba Minteh almost handed Brighton And Hove Albion another victory over his former club.
He gave Brighton the lead at the Amex Stadium, only for a late Alexander Isak penalty to give Eddie Howe’s side a point as Newcastle snatched a 1-1 draw.
For a long time, it looked like Minteh’s goal was going to be decisive. It was a great strike from the winger, who cleverly took Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali out of the game before finding the net via a small deflection from Dan Burn.
Newcastle United fans confused by Yankuba Minteh
When he scored at St James’ Park, Minteh did not celebrate his goal.
The same happened again on Sunday, with the £33million man seemingly choosing once again not to celebrate after scoring against the club who sold him last summer.
Weirdly, he then kissed the Brighton badge after making a point not to celebrate in front of the travelling Toon Army.
Minteh’s ‘celebration’ has surprised Newcastle United fans, who have reacted to the incident on X (formerly known as Twitter).
One fan wrote: “Don’t really understand this celebration from Minteh. Our fans all seem to have a soft spot for him, no?”
“I think Minteh’s gestures towards the #NUFC fans after he scored were a bit unnecessary mind,” added this supporter.
A third Newcastle fan noted: “I’m confused. Did Minteh decide not to celebrate and almost say sorry to then get annoyed and try to kiss the Brighton badge? Why was he waving his finger and then pointing at the floor?”
“Just celebrate Minteh you didn’t even play a game for us,” wrote this member of the Toon Army.
“There’s no finer example of football being finished as a serious sport than Minteh not celebrating out of respect to a team he never actually played a minute for,” commented another Newcastle supporter.
Finally, this fan added: “Of course it’s Minteh, confused with his celebration as well can’t tell if he has animosity or not.”
What Minteh has said about Newcastle United selling him
During a recent interview, Minteh addressed Newcastle United selling him to Brighton during the 2024 summer transfer window.
“I didn’t know anything about that because I’d never heard of it, that thing, ‘PFA’, or something like that [meaning PSR],” he said.
“I just heard from my agent that they wanted to sell me. I said: ‘OK, if they want to sell me, then it’s fine. I can go to another club and try. I know other clubs are interested in me, so if I don’t play there, then it’s an opportunity to play for another team.’ I wasn’t sad or anything like that.
“All I was doing in the Netherlands [at Feyenoord] was trying to show I could play in the Premier League, because that is all I want. It doesn’t matter if it is Newcastle, Bournemouth or Brighton, but, after finding myself in Brighton, I have fallen in love with the club now. I am settled here and I am good here now.
“I don’t have anything against Newcastle. This is how football works. You go to this team, you think you are going to stay there for the rest of your life. Another team wants you, you move to another team.”
Minteh did not play a single minute for the Magpies, having spent his one season as a Toon player on loan at Feyenoord.
The 2024/25 season has seen him get his big break in the Premier League, but it has been with the Seagulls rather than Newcastle United.
The Gambia international’s strike on Sunday means he now has six goals and five assists in all competitions for Brighton.
In comparison, Newcastle United’s three senior wingers – Anthony Gordon (16), Harvey Barnes (14) and Jacob Murphy (22) – have all provided more goal contributions.
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