Danny Welbeck’s spectacular goal in extra time propelled Brighton into the FA Cup quarter-finals, adding to Newcastle’s woes in a dramatic match that saw two players sent off.
Newcastle will have to face the Carabao Cup final without Anthony Gordon. He received a red card for violent conduct after reacting to a foul from Jan Paul van Hecke.
Welbeck, who also scored the winning goal against Newcastle in their Premier League encounter in October, ensured Newcastle’s winger will not get a chance to play at Wembley in the FA Cup.
Coming off the bench, the experienced striker secured a 2-1 victory in extra time, keeping alive his aspirations of adding to his two FA Cup winner’s medals previously won with Arsenal.
The game began positively for Newcastle when Alexander Isak scored the opening goal. However, Yankuba Minteh, playing against his former team, equalized, setting the stage for Welbeck’s late winner.
Isak, who missed the previous match against Liverpool, started and quickly made an impact, giving Newcastle the lead early in the game.
Despite missing an early opportunity, Isak capitalized on a penalty awarded after Minteh’s foul on Tino Livramento, calmly converting to put Newcastle ahead.
However, Brighton leveled the score just before halftime when Minteh, against his former club, scored with a shot that deflected off Kieran Trippier.
Minteh’s goal marked his first at St James’ Park, having missed Brighton’s 1-0 Premier League victory there earlier in the season.
The second half saw both teams creating chances, with Dubravka making a crucial save to deny Joao Pedro, and Verbruggen stopping a shot from Willock.
The game took a turn when Newcastle’s Gordon was sent off for violent conduct in the second half, reducing Newcastle to ten men and ruling him out of the Carabao Cup final.
Later in extra time, Brighton also went down to ten men after Lamptey received a second yellow card. Newcastle thought they had scored a winner through Schar, but VAR disallowed it for offside.
Ultimately, it was Welbeck who sealed the victory for Brighton in the 114th minute with a composed finish, securing their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
After the match, Welbeck, who previously played for Sunderland on loan, playfully teased Newcastle fans, highlighting his Sunderland connection.
