United make their point at third time of asking at VAR- away Brighton

NEWCASTLE United salvaged what could be a vital point in their bid for the Champions League places on a dramatic day at the Amex Stadium.

- By LEE RYDER

Three times Craig Pawson pointed to the spot before the Magpies were finally awarded a penalty, as Alexander Isak made no mistake to beat Bart Verbruggen. It leaves Newcastle on 63 points with nine to play for, and home victories against Chelsea and Everton could be key to their dreams of dining at Europe's top table.

Yet at one stage it looked like Yankuba Minteh’s £33million sale had come back to haunt the black-and-whites. After scoring for the hosts, Minteh raced over to Newcastle fans and appeared to plead for forgiveness before pointing to the home turf and then the Brighton crest on his shirt.

A source close to Minteh said at half-time he would not dream of disrespecting Newcastle fans or Eddie Howe and it appears he was simply saying the Amex Stadium pay his wages now.

The source told The Journal: “He has a history with Newcastle and he respects the club very much, even though he never had a match with them.”

Trips to this far-flung south coast venue have been painful for Newcastle in the Premier League, with no wins on the board previously. And on a chilly day - by May’s standards at least - United went in against a Brighton side still harbouring slim European hopes themselves.

The game’s first chance took ten minutes to arrive as Harvey Barnes motored down the left, his shot flicking off Jan Paul van Hecke.

It sparked a spell of pressure as both Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy probed down both flanks but still failed to fully test Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal.