Magpies Stay in Hunt for Top-Five Finish

Last-gasp penalty by Isak salvages a draw against the Seagulls ahead of season run-in

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LONDON - Newcastle United escaped from the Amex Stadium with a point after Alexander Isak scored a last-gasp penalty in a 1-1 English Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on May 4 in a key result for their chase of Champions League qualification.

Brighton looked poised for victory after winger Yankuba Minteh struck in the first half, but Isak's 89th-minute spot kick sent goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way for his 23rd league goal of the season.

After seeing two second-half penalty appeals denied by the video assistant referee (VAR), it was third time lucky for Newcastle when the spot kick was given after Yasin Ayari inexplicably stuck his arm out to stop Kieran Trippier's free kick.

"That's what VAR is there for. I'm happy for VAR to make those calls. I thought the third one was a stonewall but we got there in the end," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told the BBC.

Newcastle are fourth in the table on 63 points with three games remaining, three points ahead of Chelsea (who faced Liverpool in a late match) and Nottingham Forest, who have a game in hand. A top-five finish will secure Champions League football next season.