Brighton vs Newcastle Report

Scorers: Minteh 28’; Isak 89’ (P)

Newcastle United’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top five took a significant blow after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. In a game dominated by controversial VAR decisions, the Magpies saw two potential penalties overturned before finally converting a third to rescue a point. The result extends their winless away run to eight matches, denting momentum at a crucial stage of the European race.

First Half – Minteh Returns to Haunt Former Club

Despite the incentive to claim a result that could push them above struggling Arsenal in the table, Newcastle made a sluggish start. The opening exchanges were cagey, though the visitors carved out a couple of promising moments. Harvey Barnes forced a routine save from Bart Verbruggen before Joe Willock fired narrowly over after breaking free down the left.

Brighton soon capitalised on those missed chances. Just before the half-hour, former Newcastle man Yankuba Minteh produced a moment of brilliance, cutting inside before curling a precise left-footed shot into the far corner to give the Seagulls the lead.

It was a harsh reminder for the visitors of their lack of clinical edge, and they went into the break trailing.

Second Half – Penalty Chaos and a Late Equaliser

Eddie Howe’s side came out stronger after the restart, showing renewed urgency in their pursuit of an equaliser. Their frustration began to mount when Mats Wieffer, already on a yellow card, lunged at Sandro Tonali in a challenge that looked worthy of a second booking. Referee Craig Pawson disagreed, and VAR opted not to intervene.

Controversy deepened when substitute Anthony Gordon was felled by Tariq Lamptey just inside the area, prompting Pawson to award a penalty. However, VAR judged the initial contact to be outside the box, and the spot-kick was rescinded. The same sequence of events unfolded again when Joe Willock went down under pressure from Jan Paul van Hecke—initially awarded as a penalty before being overturned on review.

Newcastle’s persistence finally paid off late in the contest. A Fabian Schär free-kick struck the outstretched arm of Yasin Ayari in the wall, and this time, after another prolonged VAR check, the penalty stood. Alexander Isak stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick to level the scores.

Stalemate Leaves Both Sides Frustrated

Both sides pushed for a winner in added time, with Diego Gómez squandering Brighton’s best opportunity before Callum Wilson fired over at the other end. Ultimately, neither team could find the decisive goal, and a draw leaves both their European ambitions hanging in the balance.

Key Stats

• Yankuba Minteh scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season – his first against former club Newcastle.
• Alexander Isak scored his 17th league goal of the season, and his sixth penalty.
• Newcastle are now eight games without an away win in the Premier League.
• Brighton remain winless in five consecutive PL games.

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Brighton v Newcastle, 2024/25 | Premier League