Sunday 28 August 2016 09:08, UK
Rafael Benitez was satisfied with the manner of Newcastle's third victory in a row in the Sky Bet Championship - even if he thinks there is plenty more to come.
Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy and Palermo full-back Achraf Lazaar were both on Tyneside with the pair reportedly close to completing moves to St James' Park ahead of Wednesday's transfer deadline.
And should the deals be completed, the pair will join a winning team after Jamaal Lascelles' 15th-minute header was followed up by Jonjo Shelvey's brilliant free-kick in the 64th minute to seal the points against 10-man Brighton.
Benitez said: "It was important to win against a team going well with players and a manager who has experience in this division.
"We got a lot of the things we were looking for today but there is still room for improvement.
"The team has been working very hard. But when you want change and improvement, it takes time.
"It is good to have another win before the international break, and it would be good to carry it on, but we have a rest now."
Brighton manager Chris Hughton, the former Newcastle boss who led the team to promotion in 2010, felt his own team had not been as dangerous in an attacking sense as he would have liked, but that they could have nicked something.
Hughton's side had not lost a game in the Championship since February, excluding the failed play-off push in May, and the Seagulls were left a man down when Sam Baldock was sent off for a second caution 10 minutes after the break.
Baldock had picked up a yellow card for a little trip on Ayoze Perez before half-time and then he got his second for arriving late when Newcastle goalkeeper had cleared his lines.
Hughton said: "I thought it was harsh. If you watch the second challenge, the keeper kicks Sam. He is not that sort of player.
"Newcastle were very efficient but it feels like a missed opportunity. They scored from two set pieces and although they hit the bar, we had the better chances.
"We are disappointed because we felt we had a good chance today and we didn't pose as much of a threat as we should have."
Newcastle, meanwhile, expect to tie up the deals for Murphy and Lazaar in the next few days.
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy revealed that Murphy was heading to Newcastle but Benitez remained coy.
He said: "We are trying to do some more business but I can't say too much. He (Lazaar) was just here watching the game."
