BRIGHTON, England :Brighton & Hove Albion's teenage striker Evan Ferguson grabbed a hat-trick to secure a 3-1 win over lacklustre visitors Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Newcastle started with an aggressive press but were quickly picked apart by a Brighton team keen to reassert themselves after a 3-1 loss at home to West Ham United last week.
They took the lead when Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope messed up a clearance and, though he saved a shot from a tight angle by Kaoru Mitoma with his foot, could not hold Billy Gilmour's pile-driver shortly afterwards.The rebound fell to 18-year-old Ferguson who rifled home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Newcastle's evening was summed up in the 54th minute when Kieran Trippier under-hit a pass a few metres in front of his own goal and the defender breathed a sigh of relief when striker Brighton's Joao Pedro wasted the opportunity.