Newcastle thrash Brighton 4-1 at St James’ Park in the Premier League to put themselves in touching distance of Champions League football next season. The Magpies are now four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool and are just three points away from securing their third place in the top four. On the flip side, Roberto De Zerbi’s side fail to close down their seven-point gap with the Reds by remaining in the sixth spot having 28 points, level with Tottenham Hotspurs but with a game in hand.
The Toon made a fast start in the match like they have done in recent fixtures at home, making it increasingly difficult for the Seagulls to play out from the back. They took the lead inside 22 minutes when Kieran Trippier’s near-post corner was headed into his own net by Deniz Undav. Referee Robert Jones then waved away a penalty appeal of Callum Wilson going down inside the box after a tackle from Dunk with VAR sticking to the on-field decision. Brighton failed to construct anything in this period and the home side doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time.
Trippier was the contributor from set-piece again with his free-kick now headed in by Dan Burn against his former club. The Seagulls improved after the break and responded well through Undav who made amends for his own goal earlier. He was played through with an inch-perfect pass from Billy Gilmour in midfield for the 26-year-old to do the rest. Before that, Jacob Steele pulled off a remarkable save from Miguel Almiron from close range and then later denied a header from Alexander Isak.
However, no one could have prevented Callum Wilson to increase the goal count in the match in his hot streak of form as the striker was sent clear through on goal with Brighton pushed up for the equalizer to make it 3-1 in the 89th minute. Soon after he turned provider by laying it off for Bruno Guimaraes for the fourth to wrap up a dominating win. Newcastle will be back at home to take on relegation-threatened Leicester to seal their destiny before the last match while Brighton have to win against championship-heading Southampton at AMEX to keep their Europa League football hopes alive. They hope Aston Villa and Tottenham do not overtake them at the same time.
Stats and Record
69
Newcastle have won 69 points this season in the Premier League which is 20 more than they managed in the previous campaign. It is the joint-most point tally the Magpies have achieved in this league since the 2002/03 season.
67
Eddie Howe’s side have now scored 67 goals this season in the Premier League as well, the most since scoring 74 in the 2001/02 season under Bobby Robson. Callum Wilson with 18, Miguel Almiron with 11 and Alexander Isak with 10 have combined more than half of those goals.
18
Most Premier League goals scored for Newcastle in a single season this millennium:
23 - Alan Shearer (2001/02)
22 - Alan Shearer (2003/04)
18 - Callum Wilson (2022/23)
Could he? pic.twitter.com/sKgJMa4cD1
The scoring numbers for Callum Wilson this season as mentioned are the most goals scored by a Newcastle player since Allan Shearer 22 goals tally in the 2003/04 season. He is five behind the club legend’s record for most goals scored for the side in a single season this millennium. There are only two games left this season for him to reach or beat the mark.
Four Soar
With four goals against Brighton, Newcastle have now hit four or more goals in eight Premier League games this season. As many times they have managed to do so in the previous 10 top-flight campaigns combined.
Assist master
Kieran Trippier has now provided seven Premier League assists more than any other Newcastle player. He is only behind Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, both eight, as the most assist-providing defenders this season.
First
Deniz Undav is the first Brighton player and the first German player to score a goal and an own goal in the same Premier League game. Dan Burn became the first player to score against the Seagulls in the competition having donned their shirt before.
