Newcastle 0 Brighton 1: Danny Welbeck scores winner before he is stretchered off needing oxygen in worrying scenes
ANTHONY GORDON got the drinks in but it was the vintage Danny Welbeck celebrating victory.
The ex-Arsenal star proved the match-winner but was later carried off receiving oxygen after a back injury having secured the points for Brighton against a toothless Newcastle.
Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler, two years the striker’s junior, will be praying the blow inflicted by Fabian Schar is not as serious as first feared.
Welbeck put the dampeners on Gordon’s Toon party to inflict a first home defeat of the season on the Magpies.
He only managed five goals in the entirety of last season – but this was his fifth already this term as he continued the form of his life.
And it was enough to call last orders on Newcastle’s incredible 280-day unbeaten St James’ run.
The day started with pints flowing in the nearby Strawberry pub after Gordon put money behind the bar as a thank you to fans for their support after his penalty miss at Everton.
And it looked like they would be getting sunk well into the night as he and Newcastle started strongly.
Lewis Hall wanted a penalty in the opening stages after he ran at Jack Hinshelwood, who then slipped inside his box and ended up touching the ball with his hand while grounded.
The ref deemed it an accident, and the VAR team soon confirmed that they felt the same way, much to the relief of the visitors.
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Brighton’s one attempt at a breakaway was stopped in its tracks before they had even gone over half way, Dan Burn going into the book for yanking back his ex-Seagulls team-mate Welbeck.
Gordon then got his first gallop, beating two men and pulling back for Alexander Isak, whose strike smashed into his own player, Jacob Murphy, and wide.
Brighton could not get out from their 18-yard line, and nerves looked to be jangling as Burn headed into the side-netting before the game changed dramatically within two minutes.
Isak beat the offside trap to meet Bruno Guimaraes’ beautiful, defence-splitting pass.
He only had Verbruggen to beat, but the Dutch stopper stood tall to deny the usually-lethal forward with his feet.
It was a big miss – and within seconds Newcastle were punished as Brighton scored with their first shot.
Welbeck made it look so simple, chesting down Lewis Dunk’s long free-kick forward, playing a one-two with Georginio Rutter before holding off Tino Livramento and Hall to poke home for his 100th goal involvement in the Premier League.
Gordon tried to fizz one in as Verbruggen palmed away a curling effort before he headed one over after the break.
The goalie denied Isak twice, one right-handed after a slight deflection, in between saving a Joelinton strike as frustration began to mount around St James’.
Jeers met the decision to bring off Tonali, who was replaced by Joe Willock.
But things could have turned toxic if Burn had not bravely blocked Ferdi Kadioglu’s volley.
Gordon then ensured it was a flat ending as he was sent clean through by Schar’s long-ball, but instead of taking it on, he opted to shoot early and it was straight at Verbruggen.
Then the sad moment with Welbeck came, the former England international falling to the turf clutching his lower back after going up for a header with Schar.
He received a standing ovation from both sets of fans as he was carried off on a stretcher.
But there were no cheers at the full-time whistle, which arrived with Verbruggen coming through a sea of bodies to collect a corner.