Unexpected goals send Brighton past sorry Newcastle

With two sides who painstakingly struggle to find the net meeting in this season’s first real relegation six-pointer, Brighton, who have dramatically underperformed every expected goals metric so far were hoping their luck would change against a Newcastle side who have overperformed theirs, and still struggled.

The Action: One of the most drab first halves of the season looked set to end goalless, but Leandro Trossard, who’s possessed the worst shot conversion of any player in Europe this season, showed he does in fact know where the net is for the second game running.

Picking the ball up wide before coming inside and firing in a brilliant effort from outside the area, Trossard scored Brighton’s biggest goal of the season deep into first-half stoppage time, and set his side up for a stress-relieving second half.

Another of Brighton’s many players who have struggled to find the net this season then chipped in, with Danny Welbeck bettering Trossard’s effort with another brilliant long-distance strike six minutes into the second half.

And although it was probably game over even after the first goal, Neal Maupay made sure of it, glancing home a Pascal Gross cross to secure a gigantic three points.

The Big Picture: After their headline-making wins against Liverpool and Tottenham, Brighton looked to be heading right back down the table with a six-game winless run, but back-to-back victories and a six-point gap to the relegation zone may well be enough for survival. As for Newcastle, today was bad, and it's hard to see it getting better any time soon.

Memorable Moment: Trossard's opener was as impressive as it was important, and a huge indication of where the game, and relegation battle was going.

Man of the Match: Danny Welbeck's use of the ball in the attacking third today was the difference, with Newcastle unable to stop him from creating.

Expected Goals: Brighton (1.07) 3-0 (0.09) Newcastle

🗣 "We were nowhere near the levels where we should be, and that was a big concern."

🗣 "We're still confident that we can get out of the situation we're in. I'll never give up that fight, that's for sure."

Steve Bruce reflects on a tough evening for #NUFC 👇 pic.twitter.com/CyGasulaCV

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 20, 2021