North East | Newcastle's miserable record at Brighton continues

Brighton & Hove Albion 2 - 1 Newcastle United

Danny Welbeck scored a late winner as Newcastle United’s struggles against Brighton at the Amex continued.

Author | Ryan Gates

Stadium | Amex Stadium

Danny Welbeck against Newcastle defenders

Brighton looked set to settle for a draw after Nick Woltemade’s exquisite finish cancelled out Welbeck’s first-half opener.

However, Welbeck struck again in the closing stages, sweeping the ball home from the edge of the box to leave Newcastle stunned. The visitors had just regained momentum after drawing level eight minutes earlier.

Substitute Lewis Miley set up Woltemade inside the box, and the German, anticipating the challenge from Jan Paul van Hecke, flicked the ball into the net with his heel to make it 1-1. It was a moment of brilliance Newcastle sorely needed.

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Newcastle had failed to register a shot on target in the opening 70 minutes and struggled to respond after Welbeck had put Brighton ahead, lifting the ball over Nick Pope just before half-time.

Captain Bruno Guimaraes missed an early chance from inside the box, while defender Sven Botman failed to find the target with a back-post header in a goalless first half.

Guimaraes tested Bart Verbruggen late on with a powerful effort, and Newcastle saw a handball appeal turned down before Woltemade’s moment of magic.

In the end, Welbeck ensured Brighton took all three points with a decisive late strike.

Recurring issues for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe on the road

What is it about this place? Newcastle have not won at the Amex since 2017, when both sides were in the Championship, and the manner of this latest defeat will certainly sting.

The Magpies had shown signs of momentum before the international break, following consecutive wins against Nottingham Forest and Union Saint-Gilloise, and Eddie Howe named an unchanged side for the third match in a row.

Newcastle players celebrate their goal

It was, however, telling that Howe made a double change at half-time, withdrawing the leggy Joelinton and the misfiring Anthony Elanga for Lewis Miley and Jacob Murphy.

Even after Woltemade’s moment of brilliance had brought Newcastle back into the game, they ultimately surrendered the lead.

Howe’s side have now failed to win any of their opening four away league games this season, scoring just once. With trips to West Ham, Brentford and Everton coming next month, that record will need to improve quickly.