Newcastle United 4-1 Brighton – Magpies close in on Champions League spot with victory in Premier League

Newcastle took all three points after a breathless 4-1 win over Brighton in their Premier League clash at St James’ Park.

The hosts made an electric start as an attacking triumvirate of Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson and Joelinton caused chaos in the Brighton backline.

Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk kept the Magpies at bay with two brilliant blocks as Eddie Howe’s men pushed for an opener, but there was little he could do when Deniz Undav headed Kieran Trippier’s corner into his own net.

Brighton rallied and Kaoru Mitoma found space through on goal, but Sven Botman slid clear before the Japanese international could pull the trigger.

On the stroke of half-time, the hosts landed a sucker-punch just as Roberto de Zerbi’s side were growing into the game. Trippier was the architect once more as his free-kick found fellow defender Dan Burn unmarked at the back post to head past a helpless Jason Steele for a goal against his former club.

It should have been three just minutes after half-time, but Steele was alert to brilliantly deny Miguel Almiron, who should have found the net with a free volley at the back post.

But moments later, Brighton pulled one back as Billy Gilmour played a brilliant through ball to Deniz Undav, who redeemed his early own goal with a well-taken finish that halved the deficit.

De Zerbi threw on Alexis MacAllister and Evan Ferguson as the visitors went in search of an equaliser with the momentum behind them.

But as they chased an equaliser, Brighton were vulnerable at the back, and in the dying minutes, Wilson and Brumo Guimaraes grabbed a goal apiece to secure all three points.

The Magpies are now just one win away from a Champions League spot, with Liverpool four points behind in fifth with two games remaining.

TALKING POINT – NEWCASTLE ON BRINK OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

One win will do it, and Leicester are up next. Bruno was full of emotion at the final whistle here because this was the stumbling block. With Liverpool in full chase, Newcastle could’ve slipped up here but they’ve kept their cool and won it.

Now, barring disaster, they’ll be playing Champions League football next season which would represent a remarkable first full season in charge from Eddie Howe and under new ownership.

But they0’ve played great football all year and fully deserve their spot in the top four. Three more points is all the need.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KIERAN TRIPPIER

Trippier’s set-piece deliveries are just so good, so good that Deniz Undav couldn’t help heading one past his own ‘keeper. With two assists today and another calm performance at the back, Trippier was the standout performer.

PLAYER RATINGS

Newcastle: Pope 6, Burn 7, Botman 6, Schar 7, Trippier 8, Willock 6, Bruno 6, Joelinton 7, Almiron 7, Isak 6, Wilson 7. Subs. Anderson 6, Gordon 5, Saint-Maximin n/a, Manquillo n/a, Targett n/a.

Brighton: Steele 7, Estupinan 7, Van Hecke 5, Dunk 6, Gross 5, Caicedo 5, Gilmour 56, Undav 6, Mitoma 5, Buonanotte 5, Welbeck 4. Subs. Enciso 6, Ferguson 5, Mac Allister 5, Offiah n/a, Peupion n/a.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

22′ – GOAL! NEWCASTLE 1-0 BRIGHTON (Undav og). What was I saying? Just as Brighton were growing into the game, Trippier swings in a gem of a corner and Undav heads it straight into his own net. Too easy. Newcastle lead!

45+4′ – GOAL! NEWCASTLE 2 BRIGHTON 0 (Burn). Trippier picks out Dan Burn in the box who just plants a header past Steele. So easy, brilliant from Trippier.

51′ – GOAL! NEWCASTLE 2 BRIGHTON 1 (Undav). Undav pulls one back for Brighton! Out of nowhere, Gilmour plays a brilliant ball through for the German who races through and slots home. It should’ve been three, and now it’s just one. What a game!

89′ – GOAL! NEWCASTLE 3 BRIGHTON 1 (Wilson). It was always a risk! Brighton are chasing the game will every man forward but they’ve left themselves open at the back. Almiron dodges a few tackles before playing through Wilson who has all the time in the world before slotting home.

90+1′ – GOAL! NEWCASTLE 4 BRIGHTON 1 (Bruno). Straight from kick-off! Newcastle make it four as Wilson squares for Bruno who taps into an empty net. So easy. Game over!

KEY STAT