Hemed the hero for Brighton as Newcastle fall

Chris Hughton claimed his first victory over his former employers Newcastle as Brighton clinched a 1-0 win at The Amex on Nissan Super Sunday.

Newcastle piped Brighton to last season’s Sky Bet Championship title on the final day, but the Seagulls found retribution on the first Premier League meeting between the two clubs thanks to Tomer Hemed’s 51st-minute strike.

Newcastle brought on Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle for the final 20 minutes but the pair were unable to replicate the form that sealed the Magpies’ promotion last term as their three-game winning streak came to an end.

Brighton’s second victory of the season, Hughton’s first over Newcastle in seven attempts, moves the Seagulls up to 13th, two points behind ninthplace Newcastle.

Chris Hughton made 11 changes following Brighton’s midweek Carabao Cup exit but just one from their last Premier League outing, at Bournemouth, as Bruno replaced Liam Rosenior at rightback.Rafael Benitez stuck with the same XI which beat Stoke as the Magpies went in search of a fourth consecutive win.

The visitors almost took the lead inside two minutes as Matt Ritchie’s corner found Mikel Merino on the edge of the area, and his volley drew Mathew Ryan into a save.

Brighton responded to the early Newcastle pressure and should have taken the lead on 12 minutes, but Anthony Knockaert blocked Pascal Gross’ goalbound effort before Solly March’s dipping effort called Rob Elliot into action three minutes later.