Kieran Tripper has highlighted Albion's strength in midfield this season.

But the Newcastle right-back believes his side’s point and clean sheet at the Amex shows the progress they are making.

Trippier was one of two Toon defenders to clear off the line in Saturday’s 0-0 draw.

Nick Pope made fine saves and Pascal Gross missed a sitter late on to leave Newcastle grateful for a point to add to the three they took at home to Nottingham Forest.

Trippier, who once scored a winner for Eddie Howe’s Burnley at the Amex, admitted the hosts curtailed his attacking ideas on this occasion.

He was faced with, initially, Leandro Trossard and then was handed a tough finale by flying substitute Kaoru Mitoma.

The former Atletico Madrid full-back said: “I didn’t get forward as much as I would have liked but is mainly about the defending.

“The one I cleared off the line, Popey got a little touch on it and I nearly scored an own goal. But as defenders you thrive off clean sheets so that was a good moment.

“They have been two different games, the first two.

“Brighton are a difficult team to play against, the way they overload the midfield – they had so many bodies there.

“It is a very good system the way they play but we knew we could also cause them problems.

“We did in the first half, but in the second half they had control of the game.

“So to come away from that with another clean sheet and a point shows the progression we are making.

“I was sloppy in the area one time when I got caught by Danny Welbeck, and we caused some of our own problems in that area.”

Newcastle have been touted to challenge the top six by some observers but were made to look pretty average in many respects on Saturday, especially in the second half.

Tripper said: “We don’t feel extra pressure this season.

“We know the expectation from the outside but that’s everyone else’s opinion.”