North East | Newcastle United back to winning ways

Newcastle United 3 - 1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Newcastle offered Eddie Howe a welcome lift as they halted a damaging run with victory over Brighton.

Author | Ryan Gates

Stadium | St. James' Park

The manager had felt public backing from the club’s hierarchy during this week’s gathering at Matfen Hall, yet there was no disguising the scrutiny that followed nine defeats in 12 league matches. A response was required and, with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and minority owner Jamie Reuben watching on, his side delivered.

Newcastle’s opener arrived with a slice of fortune, easing the tension inside the ground. Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen raced from his line to close down Jacob Murphy but caught the winger in the process. Murphy recovered quickly enough to send over a cross that William Osula headed into an unguarded net.

The lead was doubled midway through the first half when Dan Burn rose to meet Bruno Guimaraes’s corner and guided his effort home.

The away side tried to get back into the game

Brighton, unbeaten since early March, responded with purpose. Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope was fortunate to see the ball rebound off the post after Jack Hinshelwood charged down his clearance in the first half.

Hinshelwood would not be denied after the break, combining neatly with Danny Welbeck before finishing confidently from inside the area to bring the visitors back into the contest.

Given Newcastle’s habit of surrendering points from winning positions this season, there was an air of anxiety late on. Pope, however, produced a sharp save to deny substitute Charalampos Kostoulas, preserving the advantage.

The result was secured in stoppage time when Harvey Barnes drove home emphatically, prompting animated celebrations from Howe and his staff after a sequence of five successive defeats in all competitions.

The win lifts Newcastle to 13th, while Brighton slip to seventh.