ON THIS DAY 2017: Brighton 1 – 2 Newcastle United – Newcastle win priceless six pointer in the Championship thanks to a Ballon Diamé goal and a late Peréz winner

ON THIS DAY 2017:

Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United travelled to the South Coast to face league leaders Brighton, knowing winning could take them top of the Championship.

Birghton had the better first half, and made the breakthrough when Glenn Murray converted from the spot for his 17th of the season, though the penalty decision was utterly laughable.

Newcastle improved in the second half, but wasteful finishing from Gouffran kept Newcastle a goal down.
The equaliser may be the most bizarre Newcastle goal of all time, as Christian Atsu completely scuffed a shot on the edge of area, which deflected off Darryl Murphy, before clipping Mo Diamé’s heel, and perfectly looping in to the top corner.

If the equaliser was a fluke, there was nothing lucky about the winner. As a wonderful switched ball from full-back to winger, was controlled beautifully by Atsu, who put a low cross in for Ayozé Pérez to convert and win the game in the last minute.

The away end erupted knowing how vital a win this was to get Newcastle back to the Premier League.

Glasses.
In.
Pocket.

I was in the away end for this, both goals at the other end of the pitch so had no idea how good Diame’s goal was until I saw replays.

One of my favourite ever away games