NEWCASTLE ON BRINK OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOT
Magpies secure a confident 4-1 victory over Brighton at St James’ Park, leaving them third in table and a game away from coveted qualification
Callum Wilson scored late on and then laid on another goal as Newcastle won 4-1 at home against Brighton to move within sight of Champions League qualification.
Kieran Trippier’s dead-ball skills paved the way for Newcastle to go 2-0 up before half-time at St James’ Park, his crosses leading to an own goal from Deniz Undav and a headed goal by Dan Burn.
Undav, however, pulled a goal back for Brighton early in the second half. But with the Seagulls pushing for an equaliser, Wilson scored on the counter-attack a minute from full-time before setting up Bruno Guimaraes as the Magpies made it 4-1.
Victory left Newcastle third in the Premier League table and needing just one win from their remaining two league games this season, at home to Leicester on Monday and away to Chelsea, to secure a place among Europe’s elite. Brighton remained sixth despite this defeat and still in contention for Europa League football next season.
“I think we were excellent in the first half,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said. “A really strong performance, probably kicking ourselves we didn’t take some of the chances.”
As for the prospect of Champions League football, he added: “Yeah [we are close], but it is still so far away. We will enjoy tonight, but then turn our focus towards Leicester.
“I think we were just pleased with the performance tonight, to beat a side of their quality. We are not looking too far ahead.”
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, fresh from the Seagulls’ impressive 3-0 win at Arsenal, had no complaints about this result.
“We deserved to lose the game,” he said. “I don’t want to make any excuses. We concede two goals in two set pieces but we didn’t play well.”
Newcastle’s early dominance was rewarded in the 23rd minute when Undav glanced a header into his own net trying to clear Trippier’s excellent inswinging corner. And the northeast side doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time when Burn rose above the Brighton defence to head in from a Trippier free kick.
Newcastle had a chance to put the result beyond doubt five minutes after the break but Miguel Almiron’s shot from point-blank range was saved superbly by Jason Steele.
Barely a minute later, Brighton hit back when Undav ran onto Billy Gilmour’s through-ball before beating England keeper Nick Pope.
But Newcastle had the final say with Wilson’s 18th league goal this season, crowning a rapid counter-attack in the 89th minute.
Wilson then turned provider in stoppage time, squaring the ball for Bruno to spark joyous celebrations among Newcastle fans.
A really strong performance, probably kicking ourselves we didn’t take some of the chances
EDDIE HOWE, NEWCASTLE MANAGER