Newcastle United’s push for a top-five Premier League finish faltered again as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion at St. James’ Park.
A dramatic late penalty, calmly converted by Alexander Isak, salvaged a point for the Magpies, whose winless streak in away league fixtures now extends to eight matches.
Isak, the Sweden international of Eritrean heritage, showed composure in the dying minutes to dispatch a pressure-laden spot-kick after a prolonged VAR check confirmed a Brighton handball.
The forward’s cool finish was a rare moment of fortune for Newcastle, who had seen two earlier penalty decisions overturned by video review.
The match began cautiously, with neither side asserting dominance. Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock had early chances for Newcastle, but their efforts failed to beat Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The hosts were made to pay for those missed opportunities when former Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh curled a superb effort past Martin Dúbravka to put Brighton ahead just before the half-hour mark.
Newcastle responded after the break with greater urgency, but their efforts were continually hampered by controversy.
First, a challenge on Sandro Tonali by Brighton’s Mats Wieffer drew protests, but no second booking. Then, substitute Anthony Gordon was tripped by Tariq Lamptey—only for VAR to determine the contact occurred outside the penalty area.
A similar sequence followed when Joe Willock appeared to be fouled in the box, but the referee again reversed the call after review.
Persistence eventually paid off in the final minutes. Fabian Schär’s free-kick struck the arm of Yasin Ayari in the wall, and this time VAR upheld the penalty decision.
Isak converted with confidence to ensure the spoils were shared, although both clubs were left with little to celebrate in their pursuit of European qualification.
