Newcastle United news: Alan Shearer and Michael Chopra aim tweets at former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce as Mike Ashley offers backing after ex-Black Cats striker sinks Magpies at Brighton

A double from former Sunderland loanee Danny Welbeck and a goal from French striker Neal Maupay was enough to hand Graham Potter’s Seagulls a vital three points over relegation rivals Newcastle.

That result leaves the North East club just two points above the top-flight’s relegation zone.

Here, we take a look a the latest news and gossip from around the web as the pressure mounts on Bruce with reports now swirling regarding his future at St James’s Park:

Steve Bruce backed by Mike Ashley

Bruce will not be sacked as Newcastle United head coach by owner Mike Ashley.

There were renewed calls for Bruce to be sacked following last night's 3-0 defeat to Brighton.

However, Ashley has already made it clear that Bruce retains his backing and wished to reward his head coach for his loyalty.

Ashley believes that Bruce can guide the club out of trouble between now and the end of the season.

The 17th-placed club takes on Tottenham Hotspur on April 4 after the international break.

Bookies install Bruce as favourite to be sacked next

Steve Bruce is now the odds on favourite to be the next manager sacked in the Premier League.

That’s despite the former Aston Villa coach having received Ashley’s backing.

The ex-Manchester United’s odds to be sacked have significantly shortened overnight following the drubbing against Brighton.

Bruce is now an 11/8 favourite to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job, with Tottenham’s Jose Mourinho priced at 8/1 with SkyBet.

Former Newcastle and Sunderland manager and current West Brom boss Sam Allardyce is the third favourite to receive the sack next at 10/1.

Alan Shearer, Michael Chopra and Ryan Taylor deliver verdicts

Following the loss to Brighton and subsequent managerial uncertainty, several former Newcastle players have taken to social media to voice their concerns.

Ex-Newcastle and Sunderland man Michael Chopra tweeted: "I'm very surprised SB has not yet been sacked by the club.

“He calls himself a Geordie and it's his boyhood club.

“If this was the case and he cared one bit about the club he would listen to the fans, hold his hands up and admit he is not the right man to take our club forward.”

And the Premier League’s record goal-scorer Alan Shearer summed up the feeling on Tyneside with a one-word tweet: “Abysmal”

Club legend Shearer was far from impressed with the performance and posted the tweet accompanied by an angry face emoji.

However, speaking before the game with Brighton, former defender Ryan Taylor made a prediction.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Taylor said he didn’t believe Bruce would leave the club even if Newcastle lost to Brighton.

He said: "It's a tough one because there's 10 games to go - 10 huge cup finals, if you like.

"Graeme Jones has just come into the club, he's not been there a long time, he's only just settling in.

"Steve's got a lot of experience so I'd be amazed if the club and the ownership took responsibility if the club lost tonight and got rid of Steve.

"Is it the right thing to do? Unsettle the dressing room and the club again with 10 games to go? I don't know.”