Chris Hughton delivers classy message after Newcastle hit rock bottom

Hughton's Brighton and Hove Albion side condemned the club to a fifth home defeat this season on Saturday.

A first-half strike from Beram Kayal gave the visitors a 1-0 win, which was Hughton's first success at St James's Park as an opposition manager.

Hughton, however, doesn't expect Newcastle – who finished 10th last season – to stay there for long.

Asked if he had "sympathy" for United manager Rafa Benitez, Hughton said: "Sympathy is the wrong word.

"We're here to get a result. Rafa and Newcastle will get results, whether it's next week or the week after. It's no different to any other result (to me). If you're asking me if I want Newcastle to do well, yes I do.

"I want them to do well, but not to the detriment of us."

Hughton, sacked by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley in December 2010 just over a month after guiding the club to a 5-1 win over Sunderland, wouldn't get drawn into the debate about the club's ownership.

The 59-year-old, a popular figure on Tyneside, had warm words for his old team after the game.

Asked about ownership and investment at United, Hughton said: "From the moment I left the club, that wasn't my concern.

"I was here for almost three years, a wonderful three years of my coaching and managerial career. Newcastle gave me an opportunity to manage, so I'll always be very grateful for that.

"It's a team I want to see do well and I'm sure exactly like last season when they had a difficult period the team came through it and finished in a good position."