Danny Welbeck produced a moment of brilliance in the 112th minute to send Brighton & Hove Albion into the FA Cup quarter-finals, stunning Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. The veteran forward, who previously haunted Newcastle with a winning goal in October’s Premier League clash, struck again, this time with a delightful chip over Martin Dubravka, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory in extra time.
The match had been finely poised, with both teams creating chances and fighting intensely for a place in the last eight. Newcastle had initially taken the lead through Alexander Isak’s first-half penalty, but Brighton responded just before halftime via Yankuba Minteh’s deflected strike. With the game heading towards penalties, Welbeck’s cool finish sealed Brighton’s place in the next round, continuing their impressive FA Cup run.
Early Dominance and Isak’s Redemption
Newcastle started the match brightly, with Alexander Isak eager to make an impact after missing their previous game against Liverpool. The Swedish striker had two early opportunities, the first a missed effort from close range after a fine cross from Harvey Barnes, and the second a tame shot easily saved by Brighton’s goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
However, Isak redeemed himself in the 22nd minute when he confidently converted a penalty after Simon Adingra’s clumsy challenge on Tino Livramento. The goal sent St. James’ Park into raptures, and Newcastle looked to build on their advantage. Isak even had the ball in the net again moments later with a thunderous strike, but an offside flag denied him a brace.
Despite Newcastle’s dominance, Brighton gradually grew into the game. Adam Webster earned a booking for a reckless challenge on Isak, but the Seagulls struggled to find rhythm in attack until a late first-half equalizer changed the momentum.
Minteh’s Redemption and Brighton’s Fightback
Just as Newcastle appeared set to take a lead into halftime, former Magpie Yankuba Minteh struck back for Brighton in the 44th minute. The Gambian winger, sold by Newcastle last summer, had earlier conceded the penalty that led to Isak’s goal, but he made amends in emphatic fashion.
Joao Pedro found Minteh with a superb through ball, and the 19-year-old showed great composure, slotting past Dubravka with the help of a deflection off Kieran Trippier. It was Minteh’s first goal at St. James’ Park, a bitter pill for Newcastle fans who had seen him depart due to financial constraints.
The equalizer gave Brighton renewed energy, and they began to dictate play in the second half. Dubravka was forced into a fine save to deny Pedro just before the hour mark, as Newcastle’s defense struggled to deal with Brighton’s fluid attacking movements. Eddie Howe responded by making a triple substitution, bringing on Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, and Bruno Guimaraes to regain control.
Chaos Ensues: Red Cards and Disallowed Goals
The match descended into chaos in the closing stages, with tempers flaring and key decisions going against Newcastle. In the 83rd minute, Anthony Gordon was shown a straight red card for elbowing Jan Paul van Hecke, leaving Newcastle with ten men and effectively ruling him out of the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Despite the setback, Newcastle nearly snatched victory in stoppage time when Fabian Schar volleyed home a cross from Guimaraes. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside, crushing the Magpies’ hopes of avoiding extra time.
Brighton also saw Tariq Lamptey dismissed in the final minutes for a second bookable offense after a late challenge on Jacob Murphy, ensuring both teams finished regulation time with ten men.
Welbeck’s Decisive Moment and Brighton’s Quarter-Final Dreams
With both teams tiring in extra time, a penalty shootout seemed inevitable until Welbeck delivered a moment of pure class. In the 112th minute, Solly March slipped a clever pass into the path of the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker, who showed his experience with a deft chip over Dubravka from a tight angle.
The goal sparked wild celebrations among Brighton’s players and fans, while Newcastle’s supporters were left in stunned silence. Brighton held on for the remaining minutes, securing a hard-fought victory that keeps their FA Cup dreams alive.
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler hailed Welbeck as a “great leader, great role model, and great player” who changed the game’s dynamic. With Brighton now advancing to the quarter-finals, their hopes of lifting the FA Cup for the first time remain very much alive.
For Newcastle, the defeat was a bitter blow, compounded by the loss of Gordon for the Carabao Cup final. Eddie Howe’s side must now regroup as they shift focus to domestic competitions, but this FA Cup exit will linger as a missed opportunity on their quest for silverware.
