A novel kick-off from Brighton striker Sam Baldock.

Rather than kick the ball backwards he pivots and launches an attempt at Matz Sels's goal.

It goes over but is surprisingly close. Sels looked to have had it covered though.

Brighton get the second half started at St James's Park.

The visitors, who finished third in the Championship last season, have not made a change at the break.

Newcastle are also unchanged.

Image source, Getty Images

As we told you earlier, Cardiff City have accepted a bid of what it believed to be around £5m from Hull city for captain and goalkeeper David Marshall.

But Bluebirds boss boss Paul Trollope will have to wait to discover if he is able to spend the money from the sale.

Image source, Rex Features

It was a bad day for Garry Monk's Leeds United as they were well beaten by Nottingham Forest 3-1 at the City Ground.

"From the 46th minute Forest were wasting time, they looked nervous when it came to holding on to their 1-0 lead. But we never really pushed them back," Monk said after the match.

Nottingham Forest boss Philippe Montanier was pleased with his side, who sealed a second successive victory after losing two league games in a row.

"I don't know if it was the best we have played, but it was a serious challenge for us; it was a tough game and a tough team to play at home," the Frenchman said.

Some transfer news for Newcastle fans at half-time.

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that striker Daryl Murphy will be joining the Magpies after he was left out of the squad that beat Preston today.

Here's what Mick said: "It's disappointing to lose Daryl but I can understand his reasons for wanting to go to Newcastle and we wish him well.

"Murph has been great for me over the past few years but it's a good deal all round. I didn't want to keep an unhappy player."

Here are the thoughts of two former players on BBC local radio...

I think Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez will be a happy man at the break with what has been a decent first half performance from his side.

The Magpies are on track for a third successive Championship win, despite missing top scorer Dwight Gayle through concussion.

Brighton's attacking players, in particular playmaker Anthony Knockaert, have largely been kept quiet.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Getty Images

The whistle goes for half time.

Jamaal Lascelles' header is the difference between the two sides at the break.

It could have been better for Newcastle though, as Yoan Gouffran hit the bar and Matt Ritchie forced Brighton keeper David Stockdale into a save.

Brighton striker Sam Baldock gets a yellow card for a trip on Ayoze Perez on half way, stopping a Newcastle counter-attack.

Jonjo Shelvey swings a ball into the Brighton box but it drifts out on the far side for a throw-in.

We will have three added minutes in the first half at St James's Park.

Brighton skipper Bruno almost gets on the end of another free-kick into the Newcastle box.

He sneaks in at the back post but can't connect properly. He was flagged offside anyway by the assistant referee - it was marginal.

Jiri Skalak's ball drifts towards Sam Baldock at the back post.

Eventually the ball breaks to Anthony Knockaert, and his shot from range is deflected behind for a corner.

Mo Diame trips Beram Kayal and Brighton have another opportunity to swing the ball into the box from the left hand side.

A couple of coming togethers are not punished by referee Keith Stroud.

First Newcastle's Ayoze Perez claims a hand in the face from Steve Sidwell then Brighton's Bruno goes down clutching his face after an aerial duel with Paul Dummett.

Brighton have started to come back into the game.

Brighton win a corner after Sam Baldock turns in the box and forces Matz Sels into a save.

However, they Seagulls can't capitalise and fail to create another effort on goal.

Newcastle forward Ayoze Perez goes into the book for an innocuous looking clash with Beram Kayal.

Matt Ritchie then has words with referee Keith Stroud about it and gets shown a yellow card for his troubles.

Brighton come forward and force Matz Sels to palm away a dangerous cross from the left.

Jiri Skalak then sends a free-kick into the box but his delivery is over-hit and doesn't threaten the defence.

Moments later Yoan Gouffran side-foots narrowly over the bar from the subsequent corner.

He had latched onto a fizzed ball into the box from Vurnon Anita.

Plenty for Seagulls boss Chris Hughton to ponder.

Image source, Rex Features

Brighton keeper David Stockdale denies Newcastle winger Matt RItchie to keep the score 1-0.

Mo Diame had found Ritchie with a pull-back but his effort is turned behind for a corner.

For a few minutes Brighton could hardly get a sniff of the ball.

Eventually they get it back and look to come forward but a mis-placed pass in search of Glenn Murray rolls out for a Newcastle throw-in.