A goal from Danny Welbeck was enough to punish Newcastle for a series of missed opportunities and launch Brighton into the top five, before the striker had to be stretchered off with a worrying back injury.
The home team started strongly, Anthony Gordon giving Lewis Dunk nightmares by cutting in from the left, and Alexander Isak wasted a brilliant early chance and Bart Verbruggen saved another superbly.
In stark contrast, the Seagulls needed just one chance to make Newcastle pay. Danny Welbeck played a strong one-two with Georginio Rutter to score his fifth goal of the campaign, equaling his tally from last season.
The Magpies continued to press in the second half and this time it was Gordon’s turn to squander a chance, nodding home from Isak’s cross.
But Brighton continued to frustrate Newcastle with a determined defensive display, and Verbruggen showed why Bayern Munich reportedly want him to be Manuel Neuer’s heir.
It took the Seagulls just one chance to make Newcastle pay. Danny Welbeck made a strong one-two with Georginio Rutter to score the fifth goal of the campaign.
Alexander Isak wasted a handful of chances as the Magpies failed to assert their dominance.
There was then a moment of great concern for everyone present, as Welbeck suffered a serious back injury that forced him to be carried off on a stretcher with his head in his hands.
There was then a moment of great concern for everyone present, as Welbeck suffered a serious back injury that forced him to be carried off on a stretcher with his head in his hands. The Englishman received a standing ovation from both fans.
Eddie Howe then rolled the dice and went for Miguel Almirón and Sean Longstaff instead of Bruno Guimaraes and Gordon in a bid to grab a late equaliser.
With most of the Newcastle team pushing to score, Brighton had a chance to put it beyond doubt, but Kauro Mitoma and Mats Wieffer squandered good chances in quick succession.
Dan Burn then thought he had saved the day against his former team, but he was meters offside when he beat Verbruggen in stoppage time with a delightful finish.
Brighton finally achieved a crucial victory as Fabian Hurzeler’s team went from strength to strength.
More to follow.
