The Premier League is featuring one of the most exciting races for Champions League spots, and in Round 35, Newcastle reduced their chances of playing in Europe’s elite competition next season. If the Magpies do end up missing out, Brighton will be one of the main culprits. Fabian Hurzeler’s team beat Newcastle at St. James’ Park last September thanks to a goal by Danny Welbeck, and today they nearly handed Eddie Howe’s men another defeat. While they avoided the loss, Newcastle still dropped two incredibly valuable points in a 1–1 draw — points that now allow Chelsea and Nottingham Forest to potentially catch up by the end of Round 35.⚽️ GOAL: Minteh🏴 Brighton 1-0 Newcastlepic.twitter.com/Y5tfVePdIB— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) May 4, 2025 The match at the Amex was marked by Yankuba Minteh, a young man whom Newcastle sold to Brighton last June for 35 million euros, despite Howe’s desire to keep him. The club from the north of England prioritized profit over trust in the Gambian player, and karma did its part. The 20-year-old winger caused havoc in the visitors’ box and bent the ball into the far corner just before the half-hour mark. After the goal, he acknowledged the away fans, offered an apology, and sent a message: “I didn’t want to leave Newcastle.” Let’s recall: the Magpies bought him in June 2023 for seven million and immediately loaned him to Feyenoord, where he shined (10 goals and 5 assists in the Eredivisie). Yet instead of debuting for Newcastle, he ended up playing for Brighton.🚨🏴 GOAL | Brighton 1-1 Newcastle | Alexander IsakALEXANDER ISAK HAS EQUALIZED IN THE 89TH MINUTE FOR NEWCASTLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/jyHKj8pbKF— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) May 4, 2025 As the second half went on, it looked like Minteh’s goal might be the winner, but a foolish mistake by substitute Yasin Ayari denied Brighton the victory. The young Swede blocked Fabian Schar’s free-kick in the 87th minute with an unnecessary handball, and after a VAR check, referee Craig Pawson awarded a penalty. Alexander Isak converted it for his 23rd league goal, equalizing the match. Isak also tied Alan Shearer’s record (11) for most away goals in a single Premier League season for Newcastle and still has the chance to surpass Andy Cole, who scored 12 away goals in the 1994/95 season.Yankuba Minteh is the only player currently aged 21 or under to be directly involved in 10+ goals in the Premier League this season. ◉ 6 goals ◉ 4 assists Reaching double figures with a goal against his former side. 😀 pic.twitter.com/1cqKWoOr4D— Squawka (@Squawka) May 4, 2025 But instead of launching a full attacking effort during the nine minutes of added time, Brighton looked like the more desperate team. Nick Pope first denied Minteh a second goal, and then Ayari sealed his role as the anti-hero by missing a clear header. Just seconds later, Callum Wilson almost completed a dramatic turnaround on the counter, but Bart Verbruggen made a brilliant save to keep the game level. Interestingly, VAR checked for two potential penalties for Newcastle in the second half but overturned both initial decisions from Craig Pawson, who had pointed to the spot each time. In the 73rd minute, he even booked Joe Willock for simulation. What Newcastle lost today isn’t only shown by the fact that Aston Villa and Forest can now catch them — it’s also about the tough schedule they face in the final three rounds. The Magpies first host Chelsea in a direct Champions League clash, then visit Arsenal and Everton.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 35Friday Man. City – Wolverhampton 1-0 (1-0)/De Bruyne 35/Saturday Aston Villa – Fulham 1-0 (1-0)/Tielemans 12/Everton – Ipswich 2-2 (2-1)/Beto 26, McNeil 35 – Enciso 41, Hirst 79/Leicester – Southampton 2-0 (2-0)/Vardy 17, Ayew 44/Arsenal – Bournemouth 1-2 (1-0)/Rice 34 – Huijsen 67, Evanilson 75/Sunday Brentford – Manchester United 4-3 (2-1)/Shaw 27 og, Schade 33, 70, Wissa 74 – Mount 14, Garnacho 82, Diallo 90+5/Brighton – Newcastle 1-1 (1-0)/Minteh 28 – Isak (p) 89/West Ham – Tottenham 1-1 (1-1)/Bowen 28 – Odobert 15/18.30: (2.25) Chelsea (3.70) Liverpool (3.15)***odds are subject to change***
