Brighton 1-0 Newcastle: Tomer Hemed strikes as Chris Hughton breaks Magpies duck

By Jack Wilkinson at The Amex

Monday 25 September 2017 08:30, UK

Chris Hughton claimed his first victory over his former employers Newcastle as Brighton clinched a 1-0 win at The Amex on Nissan Super Sunday.

Newcastle pipped Brighton to last season's Sky Bet Championship title on the final day, but the Seagulls found retribution on the first Premier League meeting between the two clubs thanks to Tomer Hemed's 51st-minute strike.

Newcastle brought on Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle for the final 20 minutes but the pair were unable to replicate the form that sealed the Magpies' promotion last term as their three-game winning streak came to an end.

Brighton's second victory of the season, Hughton's first over Newcastle in seven attempts, moves the Seagulls up to 13th, two points behind ninth-place Newcastle.

The visitors almost took the lead inside two minutes as Matt Ritchie's corner found Mikel Merino on the edge of the area, and his volley drew Mathew Ryan into a save.

Brighton responded to the early Newcastle pressure and should have taken the lead on 12 minutes, but Anthony Knockaert blocked Pascal Gross' goal-bound effort before Solly March's dipping effort called Rob Elliot into action three minutes later.

In a pulsating opening quarter, Joselu came within inches of breaking the deadlock as his low effort flashed across goal before Ayoze Perez fired over after Chancel Mbemba's marauding run from deep.

After a subdued end to the first half, Brighton flew out of the traps in the second period and got their reward when Hemed scooped Dale Stephens' knock-down beyond the despairing reach of Elliot for his second goal of the season.

Elliot was on hand to prevent the hosts from doubling their lead, turning March's effort off the goal-line with a stunning last-gasp save on 56 minutes.

Substitute Shelvey struck post from a corner within minutes of entering the fray, and Gayle drew Ryan into action with a low effort in stoppage-time, but Brighton held on for their second victory of the season.

Opta stats

Brighton have won back to back home league games in the top flight for the first time since November 1982.
Tomer Hemed has been involved in three goals in his last two home Premier League games (two goals, one assist).
Hemed has had a hand in 20 goals in his last 23 league starts at the Amex for Brighton (15 goals, five assists).
Newcastle have lost 22 of their last 24 away Premier League games in which they've conceded the first goal (W1 D1).
Rafael Benitez has lost each of his last four Premier League matches against newly promoted sides, having lost only two of the first 40.

Man of the Match - Tomer Hemed

Sky Sports co-commentator, Andy Hinchcliffe: "In the first half he lacked a bit of anticipation when the ball was bouncing around the six-yard box but he was alive when that header came across from Dale Stephens and took his chance really well. His hold-up play has been good, his work-rate is good too. He's a real team player and he's had a good afternoon."