Albion fans had plenty to smile about yesterday as the Seagulls beat Newcastle.

Danny Welbeck’s goal was the difference as Brighton earned a 1-0 win away at St James’s Park.

The forward scored the only goal of the game with a low finish into the bottom corner to send the Seagulls up to fifth in the Premier League table.

Newcastle struggled to take their chances as Bart Verbruggen made some good saves but Brighton’s afternoon was soured when Welbeck was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after being caught in the back by Fabian Schar.

The win saw Albion become the first away team to win on Tyneside since Manchester City on January 13.

Newcastle had gone 11 unbeaten at home in the league (six wins), one short of their best run under Eddie Howe.

Welbeck’s winner also saw him equal his five-goal league-only tally from last season – after just eight games.

He played in 29 league games last season and his total score of seven goals included strikes in the FA Cup and Europa League.

His five goals without penalties is topped only by Erling Haaland going into Sunday’s games.

Haaland has ten (including one penalty) while Bryan Mbeumo and Cole Palmer are both on six goals (each with one penalty).

Albion fans sang Welbeck’s name after both the goal and his injury and he was given generous applause by home fans as he was stretchered off.

Brighton and Hove Albion will take on Wolves next on Saturday at the Amex.