Newcastle United comprehensively saw off Brighton 4-1 at St. James' Park on Thursday night to go just one step away from securing Champions League football for next season.
In a cagey opening 25 minutes, Newcastle took the lead through a stroke of luck when an inviting Kieran Trippier corner was deflected into his own goal by Denis Undav with a front-post header.
The truth is Brighton had already been living dangerously and would continue to do so after the goal as Newcastle looked to increase their advantage. Minutes later there was a penalty check after Callum Wilson went down, but while the referee made the right decision in not giving it, the striker was lucky not to receive a booking for simulation.
Early in the second half, after weathering yet more Newcastle pressure, Brighton found a way back into the game almost out of nowhere. Breaking quickly, Billy Gilmour released Undav with a perfectly weighted pass in behind and the German forward finished well to redeem his earlier own goal.
Soon, the general pattern of the game returned, however, and Brighton were hanging on around the hour mark, defending desperately to avoid conceding a third.
As the game entered its final stages, Newcastle were content to sit back and let Brighton play with the ball. The visitors enjoyed some control as they pushed for an equaliser, however, as they began to take more risks, space opened up in behind.
First Callum Wilson got in behind as Newcastle countered ruthlessly and undid Brighton's high line. The English striker finished confidently to kill the game.
There was to be more, though, and this time Wilson selflessly turned provider, showing great strength to beat his man, before turning back and squaring it to Bruno Guimaraes for a simple finish. Game over at St James' Park.
Brighton tend to promise entertainment, one way or another, having been involved in several high-scoring games recently. In the last month, they have beaten Wolves, Man United and Arsenal, scoring 10 goals and conceding none; but they have also lost to Nottingham Forest, Everton and now Newcastle, conceding 12 and scoring three.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have consolidated their top four spot for the time being, now up in third and four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool. The dream of Champions League football is very much alive and could be clinched this weekend.
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