A Dramatic FA Cup Victory for Brighton
Danny Welbeck’s late goal in extra time secured a thrilling 2-1 victory for Brighton over Newcastle, propelling the Seagulls into the FA Cup quarter-finals. The 34-year-old veteran striker, who had previously scored the winner in October’s Premier League match against the Magpies, once again proved his worth with a crucial finish. Welbeck’s goal not only extended his personal FA Cup ambitions but also dealt a significant blow to Newcastle, who will now be without Anthony Gordon for the upcoming Carabao Cup final due to his red card for violent conduct.
Early Promise and Missed Opportunities
The match began with promise for Newcastle as Alexander Isak, who had missed the recent defeat to Liverpool, was given the nod to start. However, the Swedish forward’s early form was marred by a series of missed opportunities. Just two minutes in, Harvey Barnes delivered a perfect cross, but Isak’s initial effort was blocked, and he subsequently lashed over from close range. Determined to make amends, Isak had another chance following a counter-attack, but his long-range shot was easily saved by Bart Verbruggen. Despite these early setbacks, Isak’s persistence paid off when a late challenge by Yankuba Minteh, a former Newcastle player, sent Tino Livramento tumbling in the area, leading to a penalty. Isak confidently fired the ball into the corner, breaking the deadlock and giving Newcastle the lead.
Minteh’s Redemption
Minteh, who had been sold reluctantly by Newcastle to Brighton last summer to meet Premier League requirements, had a chance to make amends for his earlier mistake. In the dying seconds of the first half, a superb pass from Joao Pedro set Minteh clear on the right side of the area. The Gambian winger, who had run off Gordon, kept his composure and slotted the ball past Martin Dubravka, with a deflection from Kieran Trippier helping the cause. This goal, Minteh’s first at St James’ Park, brought the tie level and injected a surge of confidence into the Brighton side. The Seagulls, who had struggled to maintain possession, now found themselves on equal footing with the Magpies.
A Tense Second Half
The second half saw both teams vying for control, with Isak continuing to pose a threat every time he touched the ball. Brighton’s Adam Webster earned a booking for a challenge on Isak, and the home side struggled to mount a sustained attack. Just before the hour mark, a hesitant defensive move by Dan Burn allowed Joao Pedro to break through, but his low strike was brilliantly saved by Dubravka. Concerned by the lack of impact from his starting lineup, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe made a triple substitution, bringing on Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, and Bruno Guimaraes. Despite these changes, Willock’s introduction was marred by a glaring miss when he failed to connect with a perfect cross from Livramento, much to the relief of the Brighton defense.
The Turning Point
The match took a dramatic turn when Anthony Gordon, still frustrated over a non-awarded penalty earlier, lashed out at Jan Paul van Hecke with a two-handed push to the head. The incident, which occurred in a moment of heated play, resulted in an instant red card for Gordon. This not only left Newcastle a man down but also ruled the star winger out of the Carabao Cup final, a significant setback for Howe’s team. Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey also saw red for a second yellow card following a foul on Murphy, but the numerical parity did little to calm the tension. Newcastle thought they had secured victory when Fabian Schar volleyed in from a free-kick, but a VAR check ruled the goal offside, sending the match into extra time.
Welbeck’s Heroics and a Bittersweet Victory
The extra time period was a test of endurance and skill for both teams. Martin Dubravka made a fantastic save to deny Diego Gomez, while Verbruggen pushed away a strike from Willock. The decisive moment came in the 114th minute when Solly March slipped in Danny Welbeck. The experienced striker, known for his composure, coolly finished past the onrushing Dubravka from a tight angle, sealing Brighton’s place in the FA Cup quarter-finals. For Welbeck, this goal was a step closer to his dream of lifting the FA Cup for a third time, having won it twice with Arsenal. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe faces the daunting task of preparing for the Carabao Cup final without one of his key players, Anthony Gordon, who will serve a three-match ban. The victory was a bittersweet one for both teams, with Brighton celebrating their progress and Newcastle grappling with the consequences of Gordon’s red card.
