United v Brighton head to head

AS Newcastle United face Brighton and Hove Albion at St James’ Park tomorrow in what will be the Magpies’ toughest challenge of the new season, we recall how the two clubs have fared against each other across the decades: ■■First meeting: February 15, 1930, St James’ Park. In front of 56,469 fans, a hat-trick by the brilliant Hughie Gallacher saw off Albion 3-0 in the FA Cup 5th round. ■■Last meeting: January 5, 2013, AMEX Stadium. Again in the FA Cup, Alan Pardew’s United flopped to a third round 2-0 defeat against second-tier Brighton. Indeed, a year earlier, the Toon bowed out to the same opponents at the same venue, losing 1-0 in the fourth round thanks to a Mike Williamson own goal. ■■They played for both clubs: Steve Harper, Kazenga LuaLua, Leon Best, and a largely forgotten striker, Alan Duffy, who made two appearances for the Toon in the late-1960s before joining Brighton in 1970.

Not forgetting current Seagulls manager Chris Hughton who did a magnificent job managing a relegated and demoralised Newcastle United back to the Premier League at the first time of asking in the 2009-10 season. ■■Biggest United win: In October 1961, Ken Leek hit three as the Magpies romped to a 5-0 Second Division win. ■■Biggest Brighton win: United fell to a 4-2 Second Division loss at the Goldstone Ground in January 1991. ■■Trelford Mills, anyone?: After disallowing not one, but two Newcastle goals in an infamous 1983 third round FA Cup clash at St James’ Park, the Yorkshire referee, pictured, needed a police escort out of the city. Not only did the Toon lose 1-0, but Brighton went on to reach the final where they lost 4-0 to Manchester United in a Wembley replay after the first game was drawn. ■■Head-to-Head: In only 18 meetings, United have won 7, and lost 8, while three