Danny Welbeck was the hero for Brighton, scoring deep in extra-time as Fabian Hurzeler’s side beat Newcastle 2-1 in an FA Cup thriller to reach the quarter-finals.
Welbeck’s strike (114) was a final blow for Newcastle, who had what they thought was a winning goal chalked off by VAR in stoppage time of normal time after Anthony Gordon had been shown a straight red card for a push to the head of Jan Paul van Hecke. It was a moment of madness from the winger, who will now miss the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on March 16, live on Sky Sports.
Alexander Isak’s penalty, after Yankuba Minteh fouled Tino Livramento, was cancelled out by Minteh, who had a dramatic first half against his former club.
Both sides has chances to win the game in the second half, the best opportunity falling to substitute Joe Willock, who failed to connect with Livramento’s cross from six yards out.
The tie looked to be swinging in Newcastle’s favour until the late red-card drama. Gordon lost his cool, pushing Van Hecke, but Tariq Lamptey levelled things up after receiving his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Newcastle thought they were heading for the last eight when Fabian Schar popped up in stoppage time with a superb finish to send St James’ Park wild, but the celebrations were cut short when semi-automated offside found the defender had failed to time his run in behind the Brighton defence.
It meant extra-time and Welbeck, just as he did in the league match between the two sides at St James’ Park in October, grabbed the winner to complete Newcastle’s bad afternoon and send Brighton into the last eight.
More to follow.
‘As bad an afternoon as Newcastle could have had’
Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie at St James’ Park:
“That’s as bad an afternoon as Newcastle could’ve had.
“It was another poor home display, they are out of the FA Cup, and Anthony Gordon is suspended for the Carabao Cup final.
“Eddie Howe’s side have absolutely no momentum for the Wembley showdown with Liverpool on March 16, whatsoever.
“A shocker for Newcastle.”
