For hitting home run
white shirt. Anthony Knockaert led a 13th-minute break, driving through the middle of the pitch before releasing Solly March on the left. But when March’s low cross was deflected into the path of Pascal Gross, the Brighton playmaker’s close-range shot was diverted to safety off the chest of Knockaert.
It summed up Brighton’s first-half efforts. While they looked impressive at times, they lacked the final ball or ruthless finish to cap their efforts with a meaningful end product.
Newcastle suffered from much the same problem with the good work done on the left flank by Chancel Mbemba and Christian Atsu deserving better.
That was the source of their best first-half opening in the 22nd minute when Joselu skewed his shot wide from eight yards out. And nine minutes later, Ayoze Perez failed to trouble Ryan by shooting over.
A set-piece looked most likely to deliver the breakthrough, and so it proved when Hemed put Albion ahead five minutes into the second half.
A needless foul by Jamaal Lascelles on Hemed gave Gross the chance to flight the free-kick towards Dale Stephens at the far post.
The midfielder resisted the temptation to go for goal, instead heading back towards Hemed, who twisted acrobatically to hook his shot past Elliot.
Brighton should have doubled their lead five minutes later after another move instigated by Gross ended with March meeting Bruno’s low cross only to be denied by Elliot’s block.
Rafa Benitez introduced Jonjo Shelvey, who had an immediate impact, winning a corner that he then struck against the near post. But Hughton’s side found their way over the line.
BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1):