Newcastle United finally ended their Premier League hoodoo against Brighton to extend their unbeaten top-flight run to eight matches. Ryan Fraser's rebound and Fabian Schar's powerful header was enough to edge a tense 2-1 home victory over the Seagulls on Saturday afternoon.
Eddie Howe's side struck twice in the space of three minutes following a confident opening from the visitors, and the hosts managed to hold out for all three points despite Lewis Dunk's header in the 55th minute. The head coach named an unchanged starting eleven despite the returns of Javier Manquillo and Allan Saint-Maximin from injury, but will likely have to shuffle the deck with three away fixtures within the next fortnight.
Here are the moments you might have missed from the Magpies' latest victory at St James' Park.
Football stands together
It was another jubilant afternoon on Tyneside as Howe's side battled hard to preserve their unbeaten start to 2022 and move seven points clear of the relegation zone. However, it was another weekend where top-flight clubs put rivalries to one side to show solidarity with Ukraine in the wake of Russia's invasion.
Football stands together was the message emblazoned on the Leazes End screen ahead of kick-off in the colours of Ukraine's flag as fans and players stood together to show their support. It was a powerful gesture replicated across all Premier League grounds this weekend, with stand-in skipper Jonjo Shelvey wearing a blue-and-yellow armband.
Joelinton clash
Another Newcastle win was accompanied by yet another assured midfield display from the Magpies' all-action midfielder. Joelinton's transformation into a box-to-box performer is now well-documented, but it was a difficult afternoon for the midfield trio as Brighton dominated possession as expected.
The former number nine cemented his newfound status as an enforcer with a fiery clash with Dele Alli in last month's win against Everton, and the 25-year-old showcased this combative edge against the Seagulls. Joelinton did not shy away from a confrontation with Marc Cucurella in the closing stages, and was perhaps unlucky to be the only player booked following the flare-up.
Murphy reaction
It was another impressive display from Fraser, who carried the momentum over from his player of the month nomination to open the scoring in front of the Leazes End. However, it was Jacob Murphy who should have scored his first goal since the opening-day defeat to West Ham.
A clever turn and pass from Chris Wood released the winger with a clean run on Robert Sanchez's goal, but the 27-year-old saw his clipped shot agonisingly bounce back off the post. Fraser was on hand to sweep home the rebound, and Murphy's initial celebration gave way to relief as the attacker had his head in his hands.
Top-half success
Newcastle's top-flight record against the Seagulls did not make for pretty reading ahead of Saturday's encounter. The Magpies had not beaten Brighton in the Premier League, and had not even scored against the visitors at St James' Park in these recent encounters.
Howe's side not only managed to dispatch the Brighton hoodoo, but also managed to register their first victory of the season against top-half opponents at the 13th attempt. It is a feat the head coach will be hoping to repeat in quick succession with away trips against Southampton and Chelsea to come.
Wor Flags display
The only transformation which comes closest to matching Joelinton's rebirth this season is the resurgent atmosphere at St James' Park. It was not even three years ago when the club had to give away 10,000 free half-season tickets to an apathetic fanbase, but Saturday's clash with Brighton sold out before reaching full general sale.
Mike Ashley's long-awaited exit has seen the welcomed return of Wor Flags, and the group's recent pre-match efforts have been praised by Howe himself. On Saturday, it was the turn of the East Stand to join the party, with black-and-white wavers handed out to supporters to accompany displays in the Leazes End and the Gallowgate.
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