Hemed is hero, as Brighton beat Newcastle 1-0

TOMER Hemed again netted in a Premier League success for Brighton and Hove Albion as they ended Newcastle United’s threegame winning run with a 10 triumph.

Rafael Benitez’s men pipped Brighton to the Championship title on the final day of last season, but they came out second best yesterday as Hemed - a scorer against West Brom in the Seagulls’ previous home game - hit the only goal.

Chris Hughton - facing his former club - sent out a side playing with pace and verve in the first half, but he had to wait until after the interval for his forward to make an impact, feeding on the scraps of a well-worked freekick.

Joselu had earlier missed a golden opportunity for Newcastle, but they could muster no response to the Brighton goal, despite Jonjo Shelvey’s corner striking the woodwork.

After consecutive wins against West Ham, Swansea City and Stoke City, the Magpies’ winning run ended at the hands of a team they beat twice last term.

Jamaal Lascelles has been Newcastle’s danger man from set-pieces this season, but it was Mikel Merino’s volley from an early Matt Ritchie corner that forced Mat Ryan into a first fine save.

Brighton responded well, almost profiting from a chaotic goalmouth scramble before seeing Hemed muster two harmless attempts.

And the visitors were then fortunate to escape as Pascal Gross’ close-range shot deflected away off Anthony Knockaert after the ball had squirmed across the face of goal from the left.