Newcastle United takes down Brighton in improbable fashion, 4-1
By Cade Cracas
The Magpies have done just what doubters said they could not do, take down the red-hot Seagulls.
While the two sides battled all day long, and Brighton secured most of the possession, Newcastle United finished when they needed to and ran away with a 4-1 victory.
Newcastle’s win on Thursday helped the team take a massive step towards clinching top-four placement in the Premier League, something the club needs to do to secure a birth in the Champions League for the 2023-24 season.
“We were outstanding,” Newcastle’s Manager Eddie Howe told Sky Sports. “That first period was us at our best. I thought we were relentless. It is very difficult to maintain that for the full game.
In the first half of play, both sides took turns with opportunities to strike first, but it was an own goal from Brighton that gave the Magpies early momentum.
As Newcastle settled things down at home in St. James Park, a corner kick from captain Kieran Trippier found the head of Brighton’s Deniz Undav, lofting the ball into the back of the net.
Undav, who was crushed by letting Newcastle take the early lead in the 22nd minute, would find a goal to redeem himself later in the contest.
However, before that goal for Brighton would come, Newcastle would extend the lead to two.
Once again from a Trippier corner kick the ball ended up in the back of the net. This time, off of a Magpie, as defender Dan Burn sent a laser off his head that found its way into the goal.
Heading into halftime, the scoreline was set with the Magpies leading 2-0.
But, just as the second half began Brighton found that much-needed goal from Undav in the 51st minute.
Brighton’s Billy Gilmour looked like prime Pele as he sliced his way past Newcastle’s defense and slotted the ball perfectly to Undav, who finished with ease.
Now with the game back within reach, Brighton kept the momentum for the next few possessions as they continued to put pressure on Newcastle’s defense, but the instilled bend-don’t-break mentality stood strong.
As the game started to reach its climax, tensions started to flare between Newcastle winger Miguel Almiron and Brighton’s Julio Enciso after Encisco ripped him to the ground.
After gaining extra drive from the altercation, Almiron would torch his way past Brighton’s defense and send a phenomenal ball to forward Callum Wilson who blasted it into the back netting in the 89th minute, solidifying three points.
St. James Park erupted, and those in attendance were truly blessed with a breathtaking environment as the Magpies realized they were just two points away from Champions League qualification.
“The crowd helped get us over the line. The third goal was crucial,” said Howe. “This is the Premier League and we take nothing for granted.”
Right after Brighton kicked the ball back off, Newcastle took control and a pass from Wilson found the foot of Bruno Guimaraes who put the icing on the cake, ultimately finishing the contest off with a 4-1 scoreline.
The Magpies still sit third in the Premier League table with 69 points and an overall record of 19-12-5.
They now gear up for the second-to-last contest of the season against Leicester City on Monday, May 22 at 8 p.m. GMT.
“We know how good Leicester are, they are fighting at the other end of the table,” said Howe.
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While Newcastle United battles for a spot in the Champions League, Leicester is battling for a spot to stay within the Premier League.