Brighton looked to pick up back to back wins and just a second home win after frustrating fixtures against the likes of Leicester and Crystal Palace; where Seagulls manager Graham Potter blamed the teams lack of Premier League experience. However their opponents Newcastle had faced an equally difficult downward spiral having no wins in their last 5 and hovering just above the drop zone, with cries for Steve Bruce to face the boot.
The early opportunities fell to a dominant Brighton with Jakub Molder, on just his third appearance for the club, failing to find the net from an enticing opportunity. Newcastle further faced issues as they lost anchor man Isaac Hayden after an accidental collision with Bissouma's knee. On what looked to be another day of a lesson in converting chances, Brighton finally made a breakthrough as within seconds of Hayden's injury; Trossard opened Brighton's account with an emphatic finish on the stroke of halftime.
Steve Bruce will have been crying out for a reaction in the second half; and he nearly earned one as Ryan Fraser's shot struck the Brighton woodwork, a shot reflective of Fraser's disappointing and unlucky season. Just minutes later, Brighton went up the other end and punished Newcastle as Danny Welbeck produced a finish almost identical to Trossard's, that's the Premier League experience Graham Potter has been short of. Newcastle's coffin was nailed shut in the 68th minute as Maupay finished finely from Gross' precise cross to end his daunting goal drought.
The result rewards Brighton with a 6 point gap from the bottom 3 and relieves pressure on the seagulls.
Alternatively, Newcastle sit just 2 points adrift of Fulham who occupy the final relegation place, who they visit on the final day of the season. Despite the ever-growing pressure on Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, owner Mike Ashley has relieved Bruce by giving him his full backing.
Brighton have done the double over Newcastle for the first time since 1978-79.
Newcastle have won just one of their past 10 away games, failing to score in 7 of which.
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