Newcastle United came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at St James' Park but the two points dropped could prove crucial in their pursuit of European football.
Sean Longstaff reacted quickly to turn in an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, ensuring Newcastle maintained a 100 per cent record of scoring at home in the league this season, after Joel Veltman had given the Seagulls the lead.
Anthony Gordon thought he had scored the winner for Newcastle after 86 minutes, slotting into an empty net after being teed up by Miguel Almiron, but a VAR review confirmed the Paraguayan was offside, and it did not stand.
The point leaves Newcastle in sixth, three points clear of Chelsea, who have played one match fewer, while Brighton miss the chance to move into the top half of the table and remain in 11th.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 |
Spurs
TOT
|
38 | +13 | 66 |
| 6 |
Chelsea
CHE
|
38 | +14 | 63 |
| 7 |
Newcastle
NEW
|
38 | +23 | 60 |
| 8 |
Man Utd
MUN
|
38 | -1 | 60 |
How the match unfolded
Brighton soaked up an early spell of Newcastle pressure before turning the tide, sparking both sides into action.
TV Info - Broadcasters
A corner in the 17th minute was fired home from close range by an unmarked Veltman at the back post.
The Magpies grew back into the match though, with Bart Verbruggen forced into a reflex save to keep out Dan Burn’s thumping header.
At the other end, Julio Enciso missed two golden chances - he got caught under a header that looped over the bar before watching a low shot trickle wide of the left post.
Verbruggen then made another superb save to keep out Alexander Isak’s volley.
There was nothing he could do, however, to keep out Longstaff’s first-time finish down the middle minutes later as Newcastle levelled on the stroke of half-time.
Newcastle’s best chance of a winner in the second half was almost gifted to them. Tariq Lamptey slid in to stop Gordon from getting a tap-in, but Verbruggen was instead required to tip the defender's looping clearance over the bar.
Jacob Murphy and Enciso both saw tame shots saved at either end, before Harvey Barnes came off the bench to blaze a first-time shot high over from close range for Newcastle.
Magpies earn perfect home scoring record
For the first time in Premier League history, Newcastle have scored in all 19 of their home matches.
Longstaff’s equaliser ensured that Eddie Howe’s side hit the back of the net in 100 per cent of their matches at St James’ Park for the first time since 1982/83, while they last did so in the top-flight back in 1958/59.
Newcastle have scored 79 Premier League goals this season, already their highest-ever tally in a 38-match season.
Brighton struggle for attacking flair
Since beating Sheffield United 5-0 in mid-February, Brighton have struggled in front of goal, scoring only six goals, and never more than once in each of the 11 matches that have followed.
With top-scorer Joao Pedro out for the last matches of the season through injury, Danny Welbeck and Enciso were the main attacking threats, though neither could beat Martin Dubravka.
Brighton had 12 shots against Newcastle, with five of those falling to Enciso, but it would be another frustrating day in attack for Roberto De Zerbi's side.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 |
West Ham
WHU
|
38 | -14 | 52 |
| 10 |
Crystal Palace
CRY
|
38 | -1 | 49 |
| 11 |
Brighton
BHA
|
38 | -7 | 48 |
| 12 |
Bournemouth
BOU
|
38 | -13 | 48 |
| 13 |
Fulham
FUL
|
38 | -6 | 47 |
Club reports
Newcastle report | Brighton report
Final Premier League fixtures
Key facts
Joel Veltman's goal was his first for Brighton in 14 months, his fourth in total for the Seagulls and first-ever away from home.
Sean Longstaff's strike was Newcastle's 79th Premier League goal season – it’s their second-highest tally in a single campaign after 1993/94 (82), and their highest-ever in a 38-game top-flight season.
Having failed to either win or score in their first four Premier League home matches against Brighton (D2 L2), Newcastle are now unbeaten in three against the Seagulls at St James’ Park.
Isak played in his 50th Premier League match for Newcastle, however, he failed to score for the first time in eight league matches at St James’ Park, having netted in each of his last seven previously.