Newcastle United are on the brink of a return to the Champions League thanks to their 4-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Magpies took the lead in the first half thanks to an own goal from Denis Undav and it was doubled just before the break with Dan Burn scoring against his former club. Undav scored in the right net in the early stages of the second half to sew doubt into Newcastle’s mind but Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes found the net late on to make the scoreline a lot more comfortable.
Newcastle now need just three points from their final two games to secure a long-awaited return to the Champions League, while Brighton may need to settle for the Europa League.
Here’s how the players rated at St James’ Park:
Newcastle
Nick Pope – 6 – Had practically nothing to do in the first half except catch Welbeck’s early effort and was beaten by a cool finish from Undav.
Kieran Trippier – 8 – The danger man from set pieces once again, although he will only be credited with one assist Trippier set up both of Newcastle’s first-half goals. The pace and and whip to the near post did the trick for Undav’s own goal while his free-kick assist for Burn’s was more pinpoint. Also helped to keep Mitoma extremely quiet.
Fabian Schar – 7 – Had a decent free-kick saved by Steele in the first half and didn’t really have too much to do defensively, looking strong.
Sven Botman – 7 – Put in a great defensive tackle to stop the ball from reaching Mitoma towards the end of the first half and looked good alongside his partner.
Dan Burn – 7 – Doubled Newcastle’s lead with a wonderful header against his former club, managing to find a free space in the box for Trippier’s free-kick. Rock solid defensively too.
Joelinton – 7 – Sat on Groß pretty much all game, annoying the German and rendering him ineffective. Looked like he wanted to knock Caicedo’s head off late in the first half after a collision but his teammates just about managed to keep him cool.
Bruno Guimaraes – 8 – Got forward really well up alongside Almiron in a stark contrast to his performance against Leeds at the weekend. When Bruno’s on form, so are Newcastle, and he got a goal his performance deserved late on.
Joe Willock – 7 – Such a silky player and an important one on the left side of their midfield three. Gets up the pitch so well, linking up with Isak as Burn sits back to defend. Sadly went off on the hour mark with a suspected hamstring injury.
Miguel Almiron – 8 – Was very lively, linking up well with Bruno and Willock for a couple of chances and had Estupinan on toast. However, he was let down by his end product, barely testing Steele except for a shot straight at him moments before Brighton scored. While the technique and position was tough for Almiron, you’d have expected him to do a bit better. Great pass to set Wilson away for the third.
Callum Wilson – 7 – Virtually non-existent in attack for most of the game, having fewer touches than any other Newcastle starter except for Willock who went off after 60 minutes with an injury. However, one of those touches was making it 3-1 after timing his run perfectly, and another setting up Bruno at the death.
Alexander Isak – 6 – Caused a lot of problems cutting in from the left, though sometimes he held onto the ball for too long. If he works on his decision-making, he’ll be a star. Won the ball back in midfield to start the move for the fourth.
Substitutes:
Elliot Anderson (for Willock 61) – 5 – Really didn’t add anything to the game after coming on, with just seven touches in 30 minutes.
Allan Saint-Maximin (for Isak 90) – N/A – A late sub.
Anthony Gordon (for Almiron 90) – N/A – A late sub.
Javier Manquillo (for Joelinton 90) – N/A – A late sub.
Matt Targett (for Trippier 90) – N/A – A late sub.
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Brighton
Jason Steele – 6 – His footwork and passing were really being tested by Newcastle’s press as he looked to play out from the box. Looked shaky but everything paid off and he made a couple of wonderful saves. Well beaten on all four goals.
Moises Caicedo – 3 – At right back again, Caicedo seriously struggled. Mismatched against Burn for the free-kick which led to Newcastle’s second, losing the Englishman after changing his focus to Botman. A night to forget.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 4 – Making his first Premier League start, Paul van Hecke started with a good block on Almiron’s shot but that would be where his game peaked. It wasn’t the best night for the centre-back and he was caught trying to step up for Wilson’s goal which didn’t work.
Lewis Dunk – 6 – Covered for his inexperienced partner well with a clearance off the line after Steele’s save rebounded off Caicedo and another great block on a Joelinton shot. Without him (and Steele), Brighton could have conceded a lot more.
Pervis Estupinan – 4 – Given a tough evening up against Almiron, losing most of the battles against the Paraguayan. Did put in a good recovery tackle in the first half when Willock looked set to pull the trigger.
Pascal Groß – 4 – Although he had a lot of touches, Groß wasn’t the man Brighton needed in the midfield, really struggling to get a hold on the game. It was a surprise that he wasn’t the first midfielder taken off by Roberto De Zerbi.
Billy Gilmour – 6 – Was a bit lost in the first half as Newcastle dominated the game but grew into it and allowed Brighton a chance of some control. Played a beautiful pass into Undav for the goal just after half time but was then taken off minutes later, as he was really getting started.
Facundo Buonanotte – 4 – Not in the game at all, having just 17 touches before being taking off.
Deniz Undav – 6 – Headed the ball into his own net from Trippier corner but scored at the right end just after half time with a cool finish under pressure. Looked decent in patches.
Kaoru Mitoma – 3 – Completely taking out of the game by Trippier, you won’t see Mitoma kept more quiet than he was at St James’ Park.
Danny Welbeck – 5 – Had Brighton’s first shot on target in the 16th minute, though it was easily saved. But that was the extent of his attacking contribution, with just 18 touches and eight passes completed before coming off.
Substitutes:
Alexis Mac Allister (for Gilmour 56) – 5 – Kept the composure in Brighton’ midfield, but wasn’t as involved as they would’ve liked him to be.
Evan Ferguson (for Welbeck 56) – 4 – Not a threat at all.
Julio Enciso (for Buonanotte 56) – 4 – Riling up countryman Almiron was the highlight is his game.
Odel Offiah (for Groß 69) – 5 – Looked more composed at full-back.
Cameron Peupion (for Undav 85) – N/A – A late sub.