Dunk grabs consolation as Brighton suffer fourth straight defeat

Goals from Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar in three first-half minutes put the Magpies in a commanding position.

Albion did get back into the game through Lewis Dunk's thumping header but they could not find an equaliser.

Albion head coach Graham Potter made four changes to the team, which lost 2-0 at Aston Villa last time out with Shane Duffy, Pascal Gross, Steven Alzate and Danny Welbeck coming in for Alexis Mac Allister, Yves Bissouma, Solly March and Neal Maupay.

Marc Cucurella challenges for the ball

Allan Saint-Maximin had to make do with a seat on the bench as Newcastle boss Eddie Howe named an unchanged side for the Premier League clash with Brighton.

The Frenchman returned to the squad after missing the last two games with a calf injury, but was named only among the substitutes with big-money January signing Bruno Guimaraes alongside him.

The Magpies took the lead against the run of play with 12 minutes gone when Chris Wood played Jacob Murphy through and although his shot came back off the post, Ryan Fraser followed up to score.

It was 2-0 just two minutes later when Fraser picked out Fabian Schar with a right-wing free-kick and the Switzerland international headed firmly past keeper Robert Sanchez.

Fabian Schar scores Newcastle's second. Credit Richard Parkes

Albion continued to enjoy the greater share of possession, but Magpies keeper Martin Dubravka had only one save of note to make to deny Danny Welbeck as the home side went in at the break 2-0 to the good.

In the 55th minute, Albion got themselves back into it within 10 minutes of the restart hen skipper Lewis Dunk met Gross’ corner unopposed to head home from close range.

After the goal, Potter made his first changes of the match as Lamptey and Model were replaced by Maupay and March.

Duffy picked up the first booking of the game after he hauled down former Albion striker Chris Wood.

In the 70th minute, Dunk went close to scoring his second, but his looping header is saved by Dubravka.

In the 79th minute, Potter made his final change as Alexis Mac Allister replaced Steven Alzate.

READ MORE: Recap: Lewis Dunk header not enough as Albion lose against Newcastle

The Magpies also made a change of their own as Fraser was replaced by Bruno Guimaraes.

Trossard was denied in the 80th minute by a fine save from Dubravka. The Belgian forward was picked out by March, but his shot was not good enough to beat the keeper.

A minute later, Saint-Maximin almost put the game to bed as he charged at the Albion defence. However, Duffy was there to clear the danger.

Despite a late surge from Albion, they were not able to find their way through a resilient Newcastle defence.