Brighton Edge Newcastle 2-1 in FA Cup Thriller, Advance to Quarter-Finals

Brighton advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 2-1 extra-time victory over Newcastle, thanks to Danny Welbeck's winner.

Brighton secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the FA Cup fifth round, thanks to Danny Welbeck's extra-time winner. Welbeck, who came off the bench, scored the decisive goal in the 114th minute at St James' Park, sealing Brighton's spot in the quarter-finals.

The match began with a bright start from both teams, creating half-chances at both ends. However, Newcastle was awarded a golden opportunity from the penalty spot after Tino Livramento was clumsily fouled by Yankuba Minteh. Alexander Isak, back from a groin injury, made no mistake from 12 yards, thundering his kick past Bart Verbruggen.

Newcastle's lead was short-lived, as Minteh made amends for conceding the penalty by scoring the equalizer just before halftime. The second half saw both teams push for a winner, with Newcastle's Anthony Gordon receiving a straight red card in the 83rd minute for pushing Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke. Despite this, Brighton's numerical advantage was brief, as Tariq Lamptey received his second yellow card, reducing both teams to ten men as the game headed into extra time.

FT: WHAT A WIN IN THE FA CUP! 🤩

[1-2] 📲 #NEWBHA // #BHAFC 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/PrTniUcLhm

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) March 2, 2025

In extra time, Welbeck proved to be the hero, clipping in a clever finish past Martin Dubravka to secure Brighton's win. This victory marks Brighton's fifth consecutive win and their second FA Cup quarter-final appearance in three seasons.

Alexander Isak thought he had doubled his tally for the afternoon, but his powerful snapshot at the near post was disallowed due to a marginal offside call. However, Newcastle's lead was eventually erased just before halftime when Yankuba Minteh, formerly a Newcastle player, made amends for his earlier mistake by scoring Brighton's equalizer with their first shot on target.

A penalty shootout defeat for the holders, whilst Welbeck provided a moment of magic as both #EmiratesFACup matches delivering 120 minutes of thrilling football 🔥

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2025

The intensity of the match escalated in the second half, marked by two red cards. Anthony Gordon was first to be sent off for elbowing Jan Paul van Hecke in the head. Brighton's Tariq Lamptey soon followed, receiving his second yellow card for a cynical foul. Newcastle's Fabian Schar believed he had scored the winning goal late in the game, but it was ruled out by the semi-automated offside technology, which detected an extremely tight margin.

Brighton's persistence paid off in extra time as they pushed for a winner. Their efforts were rewarded six minutes from the end when Danny Welbeck broke through the offside trap and lifted a shot high into the net over Martin Dubravka, securing Brighton's 2-1 victory.

In another thrilling FA Cup match on Sunday, reigning champions Manchester United were knocked out on penalties by Fulham after their match ended 1-1 following extra time. Fulham's victory marked a stunning upset, as they eliminated the defending champions from the competition.