Sussex

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This Brighton side never give up.

Not only when they go behind – having clawed back more points from losing positions than any other Premier League team since Fabian Hurzeler took charge – but, also, when conceding a late equaliser.

Brighton could have folded or tried to see the game out as Newcastle pushed for a winner.

But the hosts broke forward and struck a decisive blow late on when Danny Welbeck pounced on a loose ball to send Brighton fans wild after Mats Wieffer's initial shot was blocked by Dan Burn.

Welbeck may be 34, but the forward is showing no signs of slowing down.

The former England international has now scored four goals in his last three games, against Champions League opposition in Newcastle and Chelsea.

This winner sent Brighton up to ninth and Hurzeler's side have now defeated Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester City this season - and taken a point off Spurs.

No-one is going to enjoy coming to the Amex in the coming months.

• Listen to Welbeck's full-time interview with BBC Radio Sussex on BBC Sounds

Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's victory against Newcastle: "I never thought we would lose it, so I have the biggest belief in my team. We showed resilience, character and personality.

"We kept the structure quite well and I'm really pleased. The key thing was a good structure and being patient, so don't force it. Have different patterns in the final third. I thought we had a good variation, a good flexibility. I was pleased. Overall, in possession, it was really good.

On Danny Welbeck: "It was impressive. I focused on how he was without the ball. He made the recovery runs. If the team plays well, then the individuals will shine."

Welbeck also spoke to MOTD after Saturday's victory: "It was a very good win and it was very important for us. We've had some results where we've been pushing and not quite got there. We've been ahead here at home and have not got the three points. It was a test of our character today.

"We were well in control. Some good football and they nicked a goal. Once that happened, they got some momentum. It' good for us to see the progression.

"It was a good finish, I was happy with that. There's always that possibility the ball can fall your way. I was wondering if it could fall nicely for me and it did and I stuck it away.

"I love it. I have the passion and love for football. It's what I want to do. I feel good. I feel strong and fit so I won't be stopping soon.

On playing into his 40s: "I'm not looking that far ahead. I'm just enjoying my football and feeling strong. I'm enjoying the present."

• Listen to Hurzeler's full-time interview with BBC Radio Sussex on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Brighton's performance

What did you learn from Newcastle's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Brighton make one change as Georginio Rutter comes in for the injured Brajan Gruda.

Diego Gomez is fit to start after shaking off a muscle issue as Brighton look to maintain their impressive home record against Newcastle.

Fabian Hurzeler's side have never lost versus the visitors in the Premier League at the Amex.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Dunk, van Hecke, Kadioglu, Ayari, Gomez, Baleba, Minteh, Welbeck, Georginio

Subs: Steele, Tzimas, Watson, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, De Cuyper, Coppola, Oriola

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has named an unchanged side after Joelinton was passed fit to start against Brighton.

Joelinton returned from international Brazil with a slight groin issue, but the midfielder lines up from the off at the Amex.

Howe has stuck with the same XI who defeated Nottingham Forest and Union Saint-Gilloise before the international break.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon

Subs: Ramsdale, Schar, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Willock, Ramsey, Miley

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea (12:30)

• Brighton v Newcastle

• Burnley v Leeds United

• Crystal Palace v Bournemouth

• Man City v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Fulham v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

I was impressed by Newcastle when I watched them against Nottingham Forest. Their midfield is so powerful, and they have got good options out wide.

I don't think they will start firing properly up front until Yoane Wissa is fit to help Nick Woltemade but, defensively, they look pretty solid and that has been backed up by their results on the road.

Newcastle have drawn all three of their away games in the league this season, without scoring or conceding.

The goals will come, but I don't see them as having enough to beat a Brighton team who always look dangerous even when they are not playing that well.

The Seagulls have drawn two out of three at home so far, so I guess this has got a draw written all over it too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Comeback kings Brighton take on a Newcastle side with more Premier League clean sheets than anyone else this season. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match.

Jan Paul van Hecke's late equaliser salvaged a point for Brighton away at Wolves in their last game, maintaining the Seagulls' formidable record of coming from behind under Fabian Hurzeler.

Since the German's appointment in June 2024, Albion have gained 30 points from losing positions, at least four more than any other Premier League side.

Hurzeler called the display at Molineux "a good performance but not a great performance", adding "we can play better football but are not machines".

There is certainly room for improvement at the back. Brighton are one of only three teams still awaiting a first Premier League clean sheet of the season and have shut out the opposition just once in their past 19 top-flight games.

They do have an excellent record at home to Newcastle, having avoided defeat in all eight of their Premier League home matches against the Magpies. However, given the visitors' strong defensive record, Albion will be keen to avoid playing catch-up again this weekend.

Miserly Magpies a tough nut to crack

The international break arguably came at the wrong time for Newcastle, who registered back-to-back wins for the first time this season by beating Union Saint-Gilloise and Nottingham Forest, scoring a total of six unanswered goals in those victories.

Goalscoring has been an issue for the Magpies, with only Forest and Wolves netting fewer so far in the Premier League. However, summer signing Nick Woltemade has made a strong start to life on Tyneside, scoring in each of the past three games, easing concerns about the impact of losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool.

Woltemade, 23, maintained that momentum by scoring his first senior international goal in Germany's win against Northern Ireland on Monday.

At the other end of the pitch, Newcastle have proved a tough nut to crack, keeping five clean sheets in seven Premier League matches. That is the joint-highest total in the top five European leagues, matching Lyon's total in Ligue 1.

It is all the more impressive given Eddie Howe has had to contend with several injuries to his rearguard. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are not expected back until next month at the earliest, while Fabian Schar also missed time before returning as an unused substitute against Forest.