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| Brighton 1-1 Newcastle United: Late Isak Penalty Saves the Magpies in Top-Four Chase. |
It was pure drama at the Amex Stadium as Newcastle United looked set for a tough defeat—until Alexander Isak stepped up in the 89th minute to score a crucial penalty that rescued a point against Brighton. The match ended 1-1, and for Eddie Howe’s men, that late goal might just be the difference in the race for a Champions League spot.
First Half: Minteh Haunts His Old Team
The game started slow, with both teams feeling each other out. But it was Brighton who broke the deadlock, thanks to former Newcastle loanee Yankuba Minteh. The 20-year-old scored in the 28th minute with a little help from Dan Burn, whose deflection sent the ball past a helpless goalkeeper.
That goal sparked some urgency in Newcastle, but the rest of the first half was a struggle. Brighton stayed solid, and keeper Bart Verbruggen was on point, keeping the Magpies at bay.
VAR Takes Center Stage in the Second Half
Things heated up after the break—especially when it came to penalty decisions. Newcastle were awarded two penalties, only for both to be overturned after VAR checks. The first, a foul by Tariq Lamptey on Anthony Gordon, was ruled to have happened outside the box. The second? Joe Willock was deemed to have dived after minimal contact from Jan Paul van Hecke.
But third time’s the charm, right? In the 89th minute, Fabian Schär’s free-kick hit Yasin Ayari’s arm, and the ref didn’t hesitate this time. Isak stepped up and slotted the penalty coolly, making it 1-1. The away fans went wild, and Newcastle kept their grip on a top-four spot—for now.
Brighton’s Late-Game Curse Strikes Again
Brighton just can’t catch a break in the dying minutes. That goal from Isak was the eighth they’ve conceded past the 89th minute this season—only Southampton have more (11). It’s the kind of stat that keeps managers up at night, especially when you’re fighting for a shot at European football.
The result leaves Brighton in 10th place, now trailing Brentford and Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Newcastle stay 4th, holding a three-point lead over Chelsea—who still have to face Liverpool later today.
Data Debrief: Records & Fun Stats
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Alexander Isak became the first Newcastle player to score 23 goals in a Premier League season since Alan Shearer did it in 2001-02. That’s legendary company!
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Yankuba Minteh (20 years, 286 days) is now the fourth-youngest African player to reach 10 goal involvements in the Premier League (6 goals, 4 assists). He joins big names like Kelechi Iheanacho, Peter Ndlovu, and Alex Iwobi. The kid’s got talent!
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Despite the drama, Newcastle still haven't won an away game at Brighton in the Premier League—eight trips, zero wins (5 draws, 3 losses). That’s gotta sting.
A Valuable Point, but More Work to Do
In the end, a point is better than nothing—and given the way the match played out, it’s a result Newcastle can live with. They had the better chances (1.75 expected goals to Brighton’s 0.62), and Isak’s clutch moment might be season-defining.
For Brighton, it’s another “what could’ve been” story. Leading for so long, only to be undone by a late handball and a cold-blooded striker.
If you’re a Newcastle fan, take the point and move on. If you’re Brighton? Maybe double-check the clock—your team has a habit of heartbreak at the very end.
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