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Newcastle United ended their five-match losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at St James’ Park.
Will Osula scored his third goal in four games to open the scoring in the 12th minute after getting on the end of Jacob Murphy’s cross. Dan Burn then headed in Bruno Guimaraes’ corner to put the Magpies two-up at half-time.
Jack Hinshelwood pulled one back for the visitors on the hour-mark before Yankuba Minteh missed a sitter in the closing stages. Substitute Harvey Barnes then wrapped up the win during stoppage time.
Eddie Howe made just the one change from the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal last time out as Joelinton returned from a two-match suspension in place of Jacob Ramsey. Anthony Gordon was named on the bench after recovering from a hip flexor injury.
£119million strike force Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa were once again named on the bench but Osula quickly justified his selection by opening the score.
Jacob Murphy was clipped by on-rushing Bart Verbruggen but quickly regained his feet to pick out Osula in the box and the young Dane headed into an empty net.
Burn then headed in Guimaraes’ in-swinging corner in the 24th minute to give Newcastle a 2-0 lead at half-time for the first time since December at home to Chelsea.
That ended up 2-2 but Howe’s side avoided a repeat - just. Jack Hinshelwood pulled one back on the hour-mark to make it a tense finish before Newcastle broke away in stoppage time to add a third through substitute Barnes. It came minutes after Minteh missed a sitter at the other end.
Here are our Newcastle United player ratings:
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1. Nick Pope - 6
Had a big say in the result with some big saves but was typically a nervous wreck with the ball. Had his heart in his mouth after his clearance deflected off Jack Hinshelwood and onto the inside of the post. Needlessly gave the ball away as Brighton pulled one back. | Getty Images
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2. Lewis Miley - 6
At sea defensively at times but showed some good intent with the ball. Delivered a peach of a cross to Sven Botman at the back post in a phase Newcastle almost scored from. | Getty Images
3. Malick Thiaw - 6.5
Came close to adding a third first-half goal but saw his close-range effort saved by Bart Verbruggen. Alert defensively but gave the ball away cheaply at times. | Getty Images
4. Sven Botman - 7
Reacted quickly to prevent Danny Welbeck from tapping home after Nick Pope’s clearance deflected off Jack Hinshelwood. Blazed over a decent effort to make it 3-0. Won some big headers late on. | Getty Images