Brighton & Hove Albion secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in the FA Cup fifth round, sealing their place in the quarter-finals after an intense battle at St. James’ Park.
Danny Welbeck proved to be the match-winner, finding the net in the 114th minute to break the deadlock in extra time.
Newcastle started the game on the front foot, pressing high and creating early chances. Their persistence paid off in the 22nd minute when Alexander Isak coolly slotted home a penalty.
The spot-kick was awarded after Yankuba Minteh fouled Tino Livramento inside the box, and Isak made no mistake, netting his 22nd goal of the season.
Brighton, however, responded just before the halftime whistle. Minteh, making amends for conceding the penalty, latched onto a well-timed pass from Joao Pedro in the 44th minute.
His strike took a slight deflection before beating goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, bringing the Seagulls level heading into the break.
The second half saw both teams push for a winner, leading to a feisty and physical battle on the pitch. In the 83rd minute, Newcastle suffered a blow when Anthony Gordon was shown a straight red card for pushing Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke. The dismissal left the Magpies a man down in the crucial closing minutes.
However, Brighton’s numerical advantage was short-lived. Deep into stoppage time, Tariq Lamptey received his second yellow card, reducing both teams to ten men as the game headed into extra time.
With fatigue setting in, both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances in extra time. But in the 114th minute, Welbeck stepped up to deliver the decisive moment.
The former Manchester United forward latched onto a pass inside the box and calmly finished past Dubravka, ensuring Brighton’s progression to the last eight.
The defeat adds to Newcastle’s recent struggles in cup competitions, extending their long wait for silverware. The Magpies, who last lifted a domestic trophy in 1955 when they won the FA Cup, saw another opportunity slip away.
Compounding their disappointment, Gordon’s suspension means he will miss their Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on March 16, a major setback for Eddie Howe’s side.
For Brighton, this victory marks their fifth consecutive win, showcasing their resilience after a difficult loss to Nottingham Forest earlier in the season.
It also secures their second FA Cup quarter-final appearance in three seasons, keeping alive their hopes of a deep run in the competition.
