Newcastle overcome Brighton to go 7 points clear of drop zone

NEWCASTLE: It has come to something when Newcastle United, the team that could not buy a win in late 2021, are claiming three points despite not playing well.

However, that is exactly what they did at St. James’ Park as they saw off top half Brighton & Hove Albion to make it eight games unbeaten in the top flight, their longest unbeaten run since late 2011.

Most importantly, though, these three points, coupled with defeat for Burnley against Chelsea, stretched their gap to the bottom three to seven points, meaning a brighter future, a Premier League future, feels within touching distance.

The Magpies’ win was sealed in the opening 45 as man-of-the-moment Ryan Fraser netted only his third goal in black and white from close range early doors.

Fraser then turned provider as Fabian Schar nodded in a free kick to send St. James’ Park into raptures.

Brighton did respond in the second half as Lewis Dunk beat Martin Dubravka to the jump to half the deficit, but the visitors could not muster a deserved second despite plenty of late huff and puff.

Winning ugly is not something Newcastle fans are all that accustomed to, but they will take it all the same.

Despite the return of Allan Saint-Maximin to the squad registering early headlines, the Frenchman could only win a place on the bench with Eddie Howe going unchanged for the third Premier League game in succession.

While Graham Potter’s side were easily the more fluent and easy on the eye, Newcastle proved the more clinical in the first half.

Newcastle’s midfield, so impressive in controlling proceedings against West Ham and Brentford, did not have things all their own way against the Seagulls, who moved the ball from left to right, with overlapping fullbacks, at will.