Newcastle took all three points after a breathless 4-1 win over Brighton in their Premier League clash at St James’ Park.
The hosts made an electric start as an attacking triumvirate of Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson, and Joelinton caused chaos in the Brighton backline.
It seems as though Newcastle will be without Joe Willock for the rest of the 2022-23 Premier League season. The former Arsenal man hobbled off on the hour-mark as the Magpies defeated Brighton on Thursday to move closer to Champions League qualification.
Brighton rallied and Kaoru Mitoma found space through on goal, but Sven Botman slid clear before the Japanese international could pull the trigger, Eurosport reports.
On the stroke of half-time, the hosts landed a sucker punch just as Roberto de Zerbi’s side were growing into the game. Trippier was the architect once more as his free-kick found fellow defender Dan Burn unmarked at the back post to head past a helpless Jason Steele for a goal against his former club.
It should have been three just minutes after half-time, but Steele was alert to brilliantly deny Miguel Almiron, who should have found the net with a free volley at the back post.
But moments later, Brighton pulled one back as Billy Gilmour played a brilliant through ball to Deniz Undav, who redeemed his early own goal with a well-taken finish that halved the deficit.
De Zerbi threw on Alexis MacAllister and Evan Ferguson as the visitors went in search of an equalizer with momentum behind them.
But as they chased an equalizer, Brighton were vulnerable at the back, and in the dying minutes, Wilson and Brumo Guimaraes grabbed a goal apiece to secure all three points.
The Magpies are now just one win away from a Champions League spot, with Liverpool four points behind in fifth with two games remaining.
Newcastle will be playing Champions League football next season which would represent a remarkable first full season in charge from Eddie Howe and under new ownership. But they have played great football all year and fully deserve their spot in the top four. Three more points are all the need.
According to Newcastleworld, United led 2-1 before Willock departed after an own goal by Deniz Undav and a header from Dan Burn. Undav pulled one back before Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes wrapped up the result in the closing stages.
Newcastle will seal a top-four finish if they beat Leicester City on Monday, and it seems almost certain that Willock won’t be involved.
Magpies head coach Eddie Howe confirmed after the game that Willock was a doubt, and images since have suggested the 23-year-old won’t play again in this campaign.
In a post-match session, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi told Sky Sports that Newcastle deserve Champions League qualification: “We deserved to lose the game. I don’t want to make any excuses. We didn’t play well in the first half so we deserved to lose the game.
“We conceded two goals from two set pieces but we didn’t play well. We didn’t stay in the best conditions, and we have a lot of injuries, but we have the possibility to win on Sunday.
“We knew it would be a tough game, and to play many games in a few days, but we’re strong and we’ll prepare for the next game in the best way.
“We suffered physically against Newcastle and there were many players who didn’t play in the last period, but I don’t need to say anything because we knew it would be difficult. We have to forget this day and prepare for the next game [against Southampton.
“It is a very important match in front of our fans. Newcastle deserve to qualify for the Champions League.”
