Newcastle have really found their stride.

Some neat passing almost releases Gouffran on the left but the Frenchman had strayed offside.

Wow.

Yoan Gouffran comes close to a spectacular second goal for Newcastle.

He cuts inside from the left, nutmegging Anthony Knockaert in the process, and then lets rip from about 30 yards out.

Albion keeper David Stockdale is beaten but the ball cannons back off the bar.

Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey gets shown a yellow card for a foul on Anthony Knockaert on half way.

Image source, Rex Features

The Magpies come forward again and look confident.

Ayoze Perez steals the ball off Steve Sidwell in the Brighton box and Matt Ritchie then has a shot blocked.

The Seagulls are on the back foot at the moment.

Newcastle almost double their lead after Paul Dummett's ball into the box causes problems for the visitors.

The ball drops back to Jonjo Shelvey to strike and it almost breaks for Ayoze Perez.

Brighton defender Lewis Dunk manages to smuggle the ball away but the Seagulls look rattled.

Shevey is in the thick of the action at the moment. He bursts past Glenn Murray and Beram Kayal to win a free-kick.

Almost a moment to forget for Jonjo Shelvey. His attempted clearance in the Newcastle box is horribly sliced and goes back towards his own goal.

Seagulls striker Glenn Murray can't bring it under control and the ball bobbles behind for a goal kick for the Magpies.

Ayoze Perez has a shot blocked inside the area by Albion centre-back Lewis Dunk.

It was only a half-chance but the hosts are starting to threaten a bit more.

Newcastle have a chance to put the ball into the Albion box from a free-kick midway inside the Seagulls half, but Jonjo Shelvey's ball evades Chancel Mbemba at the back post.

Image source, Rex Features

Brighton see another attacking free-kick opportunity go begging as Anthony Knockaert's low ball in is blocked and Glenn Murray's attempted cross balloons out.

The visitors have settled well.

Newcastle keeper Matz Sels makes a good reflex save to keep out Glenn Murray's header from Jiri Skalak's inswinging free-kick.

However, the offside flag is up on the far side anyway.

Image source, Rex Features

The visitors win an early free-kick midway inside the Newcastle half, even though Isaac Hayden is down needing treatment for a back injury for the Magpies.

A chance to say Brighton have won three of the last four meetings between the two clubs.

Albion knocked the Magpies out of the cup in 2012 and 2013. The last time they met in the league was in 1992.

And as we get under way at St James' Park, there's more transfer activity in the Championship, with Derby County bringing in Matej Vydra from Watford from an undisclosed fee.

The Czech Republic international has signed a four-year contract at the iPro Stadium.

Referee Keith Stroud blows his whistle and the hosts get the game started.

Newcastle are in their traditional black and white stripes with black shirts.

Brighton are in their crimson away kit, with white shorts and crimson socks.

The teams are out at St James's Park ahead of kick-off.

There are plenty of black and white flags waving in the home end.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton makes one change to the side which drew 2-2 at Reading last Saturday.

New signing Shane Duffy comes in to the defence to replace the injured Liam Rosenior. Duffy slots in at centre-back as Bruno shifts to right-back.

Substitutes: Maenpaa (GK), Hunt, Stephens, Norwood, Murphy, LuaLua, Hemed.

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez makes three changes to the side which won at Bristol City last weekend.

Paul Dummett, Jonjo Shelvey and Ayoze Perez all come into the Magpies side.

Striker Dwight Gayle, who has scored four in four in the league this season, misses out with concussion.

New signing DeAndre Yedlin is on the bench.

Substitutes: Darlow (GK), Yedlin, Jesus Gamez, Clark, Hanley, Colback, Armstrong.