Premier League review: Newcastle and Brentford on the rise

Newcastle continued their remarkable Premier League revival with a win over Brighton – their fifth victory in six games.

Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar struck as Eddie Howe's side fought off a concerted Brighton fightback, winning 2-1 after Seagulls skipper Lewis Dunk reduced the arrears.

Jacob Murphy’s pass left defender Marc Cucurella trailing in his wake before lifting a shot over Robert Sanchez, and although his attempt came back off the upright, Fraser was on hand to give the home side an early lead.

Only two more minutes had elapsed when the visitors were hit again, this time when Schar climbed highest to head Fraser’s right-wing free-kick firmly past the keeper.

Dunk headed home a corner to give Brighton hope of ending their own poor run but the hosts survived to take the three points.

Newcastle’s day was made even better as a host of clubs in the relegation battle slipped to defeats.

Ivan Toney hit a hat-trick to down bottom club Norwich 3-1 as Brentford picked up a first win since 2 January.

The Canaries’ hopes of staying up took a blow as Toney, back in the starting line-up following a calf injury, took centre stage.

Christian Eriksen took another positive step in his remarkable recovery as the Denmark international played the whole match for the Bees and had a hand in the first two goals, almost nine months on from his cardiac arrest during Euro 2020 last summer.

It was Eriksen’s corner which helped set up Toney’s opener before a second set-piece forced a penalty early in the second half when Ben Gibson caught Pontus Jansson with a high foot.

Gibson’s misery was compounded soon after when he committed another foul inside the area and hat-trick hero Toney completed his treble.

Teemu Pukki hit a late consolation but Thomas