Alexander Isak scored a late penalty to earn Brighton a draw – Getty Images/Charlie Crowhurst
A curious stalemate ended up harming both sides’ chances of achieving their European aims.
Yankuba Minteh, reluctantly sold to Brighton by Newcastle last summer to avoid breaking Premier League profit and sustainability regulations, put the home side ahead after 28 minutes.
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Craig Pawson, the referee, twice awarded penalty kicks to Newcastle in the second half, both overturned after interventions by Andrew Madley, the VAR, before a third penalty four minutes from time was converted by Alexander Isak.
For Newcastle it was a missed chance to move into third place in the Premier League, and with Chelsea and Arsenal their next opponents before a last-day visit from Everton, they still have work to do if they are to clinch a place in next season’s Champions League.
Victory would have sent Brighton up to eighth place, but they remain tenth, going above Fulham but now dropping below Brentford. They had beaten Newcastle twice this season on Tyneside, in the Premier League and FA Cup, but although they played like the away side for long spells, they could not hold out for a win this time.
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Brighton went ahead against the run of play when Mats Wieffer’s quick pass gave Minteh possession on the right of the penalty area and the Gambia winger bulldozed past Tino Livramento and Tonali before hitting the ball across Nick Pope and in. The former Newcastle forward taunted the visiting fans behind the goal, pointing at the Amex turf and attempting to kiss the Seagulls badge on his shirt before Jan Paul van Hecke ushered him away.
Newcastle continued to look dangerous down the left, and Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler’s answer was to send on Tariq Lamptey at right back to replace Mats Wieffer, who was very obviously a midfielder playing out of position. Eddie Howe in turn sent on Anthony Gordon and immediately Lamptey brought Gordon down as he ran past him into the penalty area. Referee Craig Pawson pointed immediately to the spot but VAR ruled that the challenge was outside the box.
Harvey Barnes, now on the right, tested Bart Verbruggen with a left-footed effort and on 71 minutes referee Pawson pointed to the spot again as Jan Paul van Hecke challenged Joe Willock. And again VAR intervened, showing that there had been no contact and Willock was shown a yellow card for simulation.
But after 86 minutes, substitute Yasin Ayari blocked Fabian Schar’s free kick with his arm and VAR confirmed the penalty this time, Isak scoring from the spot.
