The late penalty from Alexander Isak grabbed a potentially crucial point for Newcastle United in their search for Champions League qualification when they pulled 1-1 in Brighton.
Replacement Yasin Ayari blocked the free kick of Fabian Schar with his arm, allowing Isak to pet home in the 89th minute and keep Newcastle in fourth place, three points free from Chelsea for the collision of Blues with Liverpool later on Sunday.
Yankuba MINTEH had previously chased his former club with a well -battered opener, helped by a deflection of Dan Burn, 28 minutes in another quiet first half in the Amex Stadium.
Newcastle then saw two second half fines destroyed in response-a Var Check finding Tariq Lamptey's error on Anthony Gordon outside the area before it was deemed to have been under pressure from Jan Paul van Hecke.
The third criminal decision, however, proved to be a complicated blow to Brighton, who stands 10th, after he had fallen behind Brentford and Bournemouth on the hunt for a potential European place.
However, both parties could have gained it at death, with the impressive Bart Verbruggen over the drive of Callum Wilson after Diego Gomez had led a glorious chance of the free kick of Brajan Gruda.
Brighton 1-1 Newcastle pic.twitter.com/skj2zc0deq
– Opta Analyst (@Optaanalyst) 4 May 2025
Data Debrief: The Amex wrestings of Newcastle continue to exist
Minteh, 20 years and 286 days, became the fourth youngest African player who reached 10 target statements at the Premier League (six goals, four assists) after Kelechi Iheanacho (19Y 322D), Peter Ndlovu (20Y 72D) and Alex Iwobi (20Y 273D).
Another late disappointment came back on Haunt Brighton, who admitted eight goals past the 89th minute in the competition this season – only Southampton (11) have suffered more cases.
Isak was the one who puts the pain to the home team and became the first Newcastle player who scored 23 goals in a top season since Alan Shearer in 2001-02 (also 23).
But for all the penalty drama, Newcastle Winless remains in eight Premier League Way matches against Brighton (D5 L3), most times they have visited an opponent without winning in the competition.
Eddie Howe might have felt that it was a deserved point, however, given Newcastle, helped by the spot kick of Isak, collected 1.75 expected goals on Brighton's lean 0.62.